cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Electrochemical Membranes for Continuous Affinity Protein Separation

A membrane system with nm-scale thick electrodes is able to selectively bind genetically modified proteins and pump them across the membrane with sequential voltage pulses. The electrodes are located at the first 20nm of pore entrances to specifically capture targeted proteins and block non-specific protein transport through the pores during the binding cycle. During the release cycle, concentration of imidazole is controlled to keep the pore blocked while releasing proteins at the bottom edge of the electrode. A separation factor for GFP:BSA of 16 was achieved with observed GFP electrophoretic mobility of 2.54×10-6cm2v-1S-1. This non-optimized system with a membrane area of 0.75 cm2 has the same throughput as 1ml of commercially available chromatography columns showing viability as a continuous process. This system will enable continuous separation of expressed proteins directly from fermentation broths dramatically simplifying the separation process as well as reducing biopharmaceutical production costs.
Characterization of the allelic differences in the mouse cardiac α-myosin heavy chain coding sequence

We have obtained and sequenced the coding sequence of the mouse cardiac alpha-myosin heavy chain (Myhc alpha) from the A/J, BALB/cByJ, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J inbred mouse strains. Overlapping cDNA sequences were obtained using RNA-PCR and anchor-PCR techniques for these studies. In the A/J mouse strain, the full-length message is 5989 bp long and encodes for a protein consisting of 1938 amino acids (Mr 223,689). The protein deduced sequence of the A/J Myhc alpha was compared with corresponding sequences of human and rat Myhc alpha and beta. These results demonstrated that the mouse Myhc alpha is highly conserved and has maintained the alpha-isoform-specific divergent cluster observed in other Myhc alpha proteins. One difference was the loss of a glutamine at residue 1932, which is due to a change in an RNA splicing site sequence. Allelic variability was observed in both nucleotide and amino acid sequences among the four different inbred mouse strains and generally appears to be random in nature. Three of the nucleotide changes resulted in a different amino acid, while the remaining 46 were silent substitutions.
Psychosocial and Neurohormonal Predictors of HIV Disease Progression (CD4 Cells and Viral Load): A 4 Year Prospective Study.

Most studies of psychosocial predictors of disease progression in HIV have not considered norepinephrine (NE), a neurohormone related to emotion and stress, even though NE has been related to accelerated viral replication in vitro and impaired response to antiretrovial therapy (ART). We therefore examined NE, cortisol, depression, hopelessness, coping, and life event stress as predictors of HIV progression in a diverse sample. Participants (n = 177) completed psychological assessment, blood draws [CD4, viral load (VL)], and a 15 h urine sample (NE, cortisol) every 6 months over 4 years. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to model slope in CD4 and VL controlling for ART at every time point, gender, age, race, SES, and initial disease status. NE (as well as depression, hopelessness, and avoidant coping) significantly predicted a greater rate of decrease in CD4 and increase in VL. Cortisol was not significantly related to CD4, but predicted VL increase. To our knowledge, this is the first study relating NE, in vivo, to accelerated disease progression over an extended time. It also extends our previous 2 year study by relating depressed mood and coping to accelerated disease progression over 4 years.
Generalized bilinear programming: Part I. Models, applications and linear programming relaxation

Abstract The evolution of the bilinear programming problem is reviewed and a new, more general model is discussed. The model involves two decision vectors and reduces to a linear program when one of the decision vectors is fixed. The class of problems under consideration contains traditional bilinear programs, general quadratic programs, and bilinearly constrained and quadratically constrained extensions of these problems. We describe how several important applications from the literature, including the multiple modular design problem, can be modeled as generalized bilinear programs. Finally, we derive a linear programming relaxation that can be used as a subproblem in algorithmic solution schemes based on outer approximation and branch and bound.
Binding of thyroid hormone by erythrocyte cytoplasmic proteins.

Characteristics of iodothyronine-binding to dog erythrocyte cytosol proteins are described. Half-time of association of both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) is 60 min and equilibrium is achieved at 120 min (20°C). Binding is enhanced at 37°C compared to 20°C. T4 and T3 binding capacities of the cytosol are 10 and 5 picomoles/mg cytosol protein, respectively. Gel filtration (G-100) reveals 3 protein fractions that dissociably bind both T4 and T3. Quantitative and qualitative differences distinguish the erythrocyte cytosol “receptor” proteins from those previously described in other dog tissues. The erythrocyte is a model for studying functions of cytosol “receptors” for iodothyronines.
Women, war, and conflict: Introduction to special issue of Women's Studies International Forum

Synopsis This piece serves as an introduction to the Special Issue on Women, War, and Conflict featuring nine contributing authors in a variety of fields in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The regions covered in the essays include the Middle East, Africa, The Balkans, and Asia. Toman also explains the theories and approaches from which this Special Issue was inspired—in particular, theories on sexuality and war (Accad) and women's creativity and dissidence (El-Saadawi). There are also references to the Afro-Lebanese woman.
Genome-wide analysis of YY2 versus YY1 target genes

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a critical transcription factor controlling cell proliferation, development and DNA damage responses. Retrotranspositions have independently generated additional YY family members in multiple species. Although Drosophila YY1 [pleiohomeotic (Pho)] and its homolog [pleiohomeotic-like (Phol)] redundantly control homeotic gene expression, the regulatory contributions of YY1-homologs have not yet been examined in other species. Indeed, targets for the mammalian YY1 homolog YY2 are completely unknown. Using gene set enrichment analysis, we found that lentiviral constructs containing short hairpin loop inhibitory RNAs for human YY1 (shYY1) and its homolog YY2 (shYY2) caused significant changes in both shared and distinguishable gene sets in human cells. Ribosomal protein genes were the most significant gene set upregulated by both shYY1 and shYY2, although combined shYY1/2 knock downs were not additive. In contrast, shYY2 reversed the anti-proliferative effects of shYY1, and shYY2 particularly altered UV damage response, platelet-specific and mitochondrial function genes. We found that decreases in YY1 or YY2 caused inverse changes in UV sensitivity, and that their combined loss reversed their respective individual effects. Our studies show that human YY2 is not redundant to YY1, and YY2 is a significant regulator of genes previously identified as uniquely responding to YY1.
Theoretical model of HZE particle fragmentation by hydrogen targets.

The fragmenting of high energy, heavy ions (HZE particles) by hydrogen targets is an important, physical process in several areas of space radiation research. In this work quantum mechanical optical model methods for estimating cross sections for HZE particle fragmentation by hydrogen targets are presented. The cross sections are calculated using a modified abrasion-ablation collision formalism adapted from a nucleus-nucleus collision model. Elemental and isotopic production cross sections are estimated and compared with reported measurements for the breakup of neon, sulphur, and iron, nuclei at incident energies between 400 and 910 Mev/nucleon. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.
Neuropsychological changes associated with carotid endarterectomy.

Summary A long held belief that carotid endarterectomy was prophylactic in nature rather than offering any restoration of function was evaluated by the use of an extensive neuropsychological battery of tests. Six patients admitted to a neurosurgery service for carotid endarterectomy were evaluated just prior to surgery and approximately three months following surgery. All patients had presented complaints of transient ischemic episodes lasting seconds to minutes and then clearing totally. Analysis of the results indicated changes in all patients in the direction of improved performance. It was felt that increases in intelligence test scores were most probably a function of practice and/or prior exposure. Improvement in performance on other measures was too great to be explained as practice effect, however, and the general impression was one of restoration of measured neuropsychological ability as a function of the surgical procedure. It was pointed out that the performance of all subjects postsurgery was still similar to persons with cerebrovascular difficulties.
Complications following minor trauma in a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a little known but potentially devastating ankylosing disorder of the spine. It has been associated with fractures following minor trauma, which tend to be unrecognized, unstable, and associated with treatment delays and permanent neurologic deficits. We present a case of minor trauma to an elderly patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis who subsequently developed severe neurologic deficits and later died of complications related to the disease. Diagnostic criteria, prevalence, and sequelae of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis are discussed.
Effects of scene manipulation on role-play test behavior

A number of investigations have demonstrated that by manipulating components of the role-play test procedure, subjects' behavior is differentially affected. An area that has not been widely studied using role-play paradigms is the effect of outcome expectancy on interpersonal behavior. This study evaluated the relationship between expectancy and behavior by manipulating role-play test scene descriptions. Specifically, additional information was added to descriptions portraying the confederate as easily approachable (positive expectancy) or difficult to approach (negative expectancy). Role-played interactions were subsequently rated on a variety of verbal and nonverbal indices of social skill. Data indicated that subjects were less socially effective in responding during negative expectancy scenes. Likewise, subjects were rated as somewhat more socially effective during positive expectancy scenes. In addition, high-anxious subjects (as determined through self-report inventories) appeared to be more responsive to manipulation than their low-anxious peers. Results are discussed in terms of (1) the role of outcome expectancy in interpersonal behavior and (2) the need for further refinement of role-play tests.
Sexism and the Social Work Curriculum: A Content Analysis of the Journal of Social Work Education

Five themes of subtle and systemic sexism emerged in a content analysis of the Journal of Social Work Education, 1998-1999: discrepancies in pronoun usage, sexist language, inconsistent attention to gender as a variable or construct, and inattention to gender as a framework in understandingtopics. The analysis also discovered a preponderance of nongender language, which raises questions about the implicit messages of gender-blind language.
Estrogen receptor isoform-specific regulation of the retinoblastoma-binding protein 1 (RBBP1) gene: roles of AF1 and enhancer elements.

Abstract Estrogen (E2) is involved in mediating many important functions relevant to osteoblast biology through the actions of the estrogen receptors (ER) α and β. To further understand the mechanisms of ER-specific regulation, we used microarray and reverse transcription-PCR analyses of E2-treated U2OS-ERα or -ERβ cells and identified retinoblastoma-binding protein 1 (RBBP1) as a major E2-regulated gene. RBBP1 is a retinoblastoma cofactor involved in the control of osteoblastic proliferation. Although RBBP1 mRNA levels rapidly increased after 2 h of E2 treatment in both U2OS-ER-expressing lines, a sustained induction was only observed in U2OS-ERα cells. Examination of the RBBP1 genomic sequence revealed an ER response element and a Sp1 site located within the first intron. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that E2-dependent ERα binding to the intron 1 enhancer region was constitutive, whereas ERβ binding was transient, consistent with the mRNA time course. Interestingly, transient transfection and receptor mutational studies revealed that RBBP1 induction by ERα only requires the Sp1 site, whereas ERβ utilizes both the Sp1 and estrogen response elements binding sites for maximal E2-dependent activation. Stable U2OS transfectants containing a deletion of the ERα activation function 1 (AF1) resulted in a temporal mRNA induction profile similar to that of wild type ERβ. Further, overexpression and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses also demonstrated that E2-dependent RBBP1 induction is SRC2-dependent for both ER isoforms. These results describe an E2-dependent, ER isoform-specific transcriptional activation of the RBBP1 gene, which in part, is explained by the differential activity of ER AF1 and enhancer element binding.
Further evidence for a converted, non-virus-producing state of Rous sarcoma virus-infected cells.

Abstract Further evidence for, and a more detailed study of, the properties of converted, non-virus-producing (CNVP) Rous sarcoma cells has been presented. These cells are converted in cell morphology and growth properties and do not produce or contain detectable amounts of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) or of any substances that interfere with the recovery or assay of RSV. X-irradiation does not destroy the ability of these cells to produce RSV after exposure to other viruses. CNVP cells cause tumors when injected into newly hatched chicks. Many of these tumors do not contain virus. The CNVP state is more likely to occur at low rather than high multiplicities of infection, or when cells are irradiated before infection, or if the infected cells are growing with irradiated rather than nonirradiated cells, or if they are growing with mouse cells rather than chick cells.
A multicenter in vivo proton-MRS study of HIV-associated dementia and its relationship to age.

Objective: Differences in diagnostic criteria and methods have led to mixed results regarding the metabolite pattern of HIV-associated brain injury in relation to neurocognitive impairment. Therefore, a multicenter MRS consortium was formed to evaluate the neurometabolites in HIV patients with or without cognitive impairment. Methods: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at short-echo time (30 ms) was assessed in the frontal white matter, basal ganglia, and parietal cortex of 100 HIV patients [61 with AIDS dementia complex (ADC) and 39 neuroasymptomatic (NAS)] and 37 seronegative (SN) controls. Results: Compared to SN, NAS had higher glial marker myoinositol-to-creatine ratio (MI/Cr) in the white matter (multivariate analyses, adjusted P = 0.001), while ADC showed further increased MI/Cr in the white matter and basal ganglia (both P
Accounting for time-dependent effects on CMOS total-dose response in space environments

Abstract Time-dependent charge buildup and annealing processes cause the ionizing radiation response of CMOS devices and circuits to depend strongly on the dose rate of the exposure. Oxide-trap charge annealing and interface-trap buildup in nMOS transistor can lead to positive threshold voltage shifts in a space environment, while negative threshold voltage shifts are commonly observed after irradiations at typical laboratory dose rates [50–300 rad(Si)/s]. Thus, devices that pass laboratory testing can fail at the low dose rates encountered in space due to positive nMOS transistor threshold-voltage shifts above preirradiation values, i.e. “rebound”. We summarize how this issue can be addressed in total-dose hardness assurance test methods for space. An example of such a guideline is the revised U.S. military-standard ionizing-radiation-effects test method (MIL-STD 883D, Test Method 1019.4).
Angular-dependent X-ray photoemission study of oxidized silicon at low X-ray incidence angles

Abstract Chemically-shifted oxide- and element- core-photoelectron intensities from thermally -oxidized silicon are found to exhibit surface enhancements of up to a factor of four at low X-ray incidence angles. The data are in good agreement with macroscopic theoretical calculations.
Quality of Life in Chronic Dialysis Patients: A Critical Comparison of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Hemodialysis

Thirty-three matched pairs of chronic continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and center hemodialysis (CHD) patients from three dialysis programs were studied cross-sectionally to assess their current medical, psychological, and social status. The CAPD and CHD groups were similar on matching and medical status variables. The CAPD subject group had a higher quality of life, lower illness and modality related stress scores, and nonsignificantly lower mood disturbance scores. The groups did not differ in self-esteem or health locus of control. CAPD subjects reported higher frequency of participation in community activities, better relationships with dialysis physicians and patients, and were more likely to be currently vocationally active. Dialysis modality likely exerts an independent effect on the quality of life of chronic dialysis patients, and CAPD is likely superior to CHD in this regard. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the relative role of patient-selection and modalityrelated factors in determining the psychological and social adaptation (quality of life) of chronic dialysis patients. patients.
Nucleosynthesis of26Al in the early solar system and in cosmic rays

The nucleus26Al(τ1/2 = 7.4 × 105 yr) has long been considered as a possible heat source during the formation of the solar system. Recent experimental work has found no evidence for26Al at the time of final solidification of the meteorites. Due to the short half-life these measurements do not rule out the possibility that26Al was a significant heat source a few million years prior to final solidification. For26Al to be an effective heat source in the early solar system it is necessary for the ratio26Al/Si to be ≳2×10−7 at the time of a solidification. The nucleosynthetic yields of26Al by silicon burning, carbon burning, and spallation are discussed. It is shown that26Al can be synthesized in carbon and/or silicon-burning supernovae. However, time scales in the early solar system make it more likely that26Al, if present in planets, was synthesized by a proton irradiation in the early solar system. An integrated proton flux >4×1018 cm−2 is shown to be necessary in order for26Al to be a significant heat source. No conclusive evidence has been observed for an irradiation of this magnitude. Therefore, unless such evidence is found, it should be assumed that26Alwas not involved in the formation of the solar system. In addition, the production of26Al in cosmic rays is discussed and it is shown that either resolution of the Al isotopes in the cosmic rays or accurate measurements of the variation with energy of the cosmic ray abundance ratios Al/Si and Mg/Si can be used to determine the ‘age’ of the cosmic rays, τC.R.. Current abundance data are extremely uncertain; however, the trend tends toward values of τC.R. ≳ 106 yr.
Summary of Session III

This is a summary of the talks presented in Session III ''Simulations of Electron-Cloud Build Up'' of the Mini-Workshop on Electron-Cloud Simulations for Proton and Positron Beams ECLOUD-02, held at CERN, 15-18 April 2002.
Formation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals from 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion(MPP+): Reductive activation by NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase

Formation of free radical intermediates from 1--methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion(MPP+) has been studied using spin-trapping techniques. Incubation of MPP+ with purified NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase and NADPH under anaerobic conditions failed to produce any detectable radical intermediates. However, in the presence of air and a spin-trap, a significant stimulation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals was detected. Formation of these toxic radicals from MPP+ was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ethanol. Under identical conditions, however, considerably less of these radicals were formed with MPP+ in comparison to paraquat, a lung toxin containing two pyridinium moieties.
Effective College Teaching from the Students' and Faculty's View: Matched or Mismatched Priorities?.

Thirty-one studies were located in each of which students and faculty specified the instructional characteristics they considered particularly important to good teaching and effective instruction. Students and faculty were generally similar, though not identical, in their views, as indicated by an average correlation of +.71 between them in their valuation of various aspects of teaching. In those studies with relevant data, the differences that did exist between the two groups showed a pattern of students placing more importance than faculty on teachers being interesting, having good elocutionary skills, and being available and helpful. Students also emphasized the outcomes of instruction more than faculty did. Faculty placed more importance than did students on teachers being intellectually challenging, motivating students and setting high standards for them, and encouraging self-initiated learning. The results of the present analysis were compared with those of an earlier analysis of the importance of various specific aspects of instruction in terms of their correlations with students' overall evaluations of teachers in actual rating situations.
Intracellular localization of arginase in chick kidney

Abstract Although chickens are uricotelic and do not have a significant urea-ornithine cycle in any tissue, the kidneys contain a high concentration of arginase which apparently functions to regulate degradation of dietary arginine. A series of investigations has been made to determine the intracellular localization of this arginase in chicken kidney. Tissue fractionation using sucrose density gradients and differential centrifugation showed an association of arginase activity with certain marker enzymes and with fractions identified as mitochondria by electron microscopy. This is consistent with the localization of the arginase in the mitochondrial matrix of chicken kidney cells. Such a finding has significance in understanding the regulation of arginine degradation in chickens.
Timber harvest adjacency economies, hunting, species protection, and old growth value: seeking the dynamic optimum

Abstract Forests have the potential to provide ecosystem services, timber, mature growth aesthetics, and wildlife and endangered species protection. Forest managers are faced with complex ecosystem management decisions due to competing and complementary social values, and differential interactions of these social values with timber production. As a result, management strategies can have dramatic aggregate and intertemporal welfare implications. This paper portrays the trade-offs and externalities in choosing or changing the forest management objective, and the resulting rankings of management policies. In addition, the paper analyzes the role of economies of scale in harvest area, where larger harvest areas generate average cost savings in harvesting and reseeding, thereby promoting more intensive harvesting at the expense of environmental benefits.
Deposition of indium tin oxide thin films by cathodic arc ion plating

Abstract Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films have been deposited by cathodic arc ion plating (CAIP) using sintered oxide target as the source material. In an oxygen atmosphere of 200 °C, ITO films with a lowest resistivity of 2.2×10 −4 Ω-cm were obtained at a deposition rate higher than 450 nm/min. The carrier mobility of ITO shows a maximum at some medium pressures. Although morphologically ITO films with a very fine nanometer-sized structure were observed to possess the lowest resistivity, more detailed analyses based on X-ray diffraction are attempted to gain more insight into the factors that govern electron mobility in this investigation.
Neurotrophin‐3 and Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Activate Multiple Signal Transduction Events but Are Not Survival Factors for Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons

Expression of the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) receptor (TrkC) and the effects of NT-3 on signal transduction were investigated in highly enriched populations of embryonic rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons grown in bilaminar cultures. PCR analysis revealed that the predominant trkC isoform is K1, which lacks an insert in the kinase domain. Polyclonal TrkC-specific antibodies stained > 90% of the neurons and revealed a single approximately 145-kDa protein in immunoblots of extracts from adult hippocampus and pyramidal neuron cultures. Addition of NT-3 (50 ng/ml) to these cultures induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of TrkC but not TrkB, as determined by anti-phosphotyrosine staining of immunoprecipitates; thus, all the effects of NT-3 are mediated through TrkC. NT-3 also increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of 42-, 44-, 49-, 55-, 95-, and 145-kDa proteins; the pattern induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was similar but not identical to that induced by NT-3, suggesting that subtle differences may exist in signaling by TrkB and TrkC receptors. Immunoprecipitation of p21ras from 32P-prelabeled cells showed that NT-3 increased the level of the GTP-bound form of the protein threefold over the control within 5 min. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity was maximally elevated by NT-3 within 2 min and then returned slowly toward baseline over the next 60 min. Tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma increased rapidly after NT-3, suggesting that this enzyme becomes activated. Consistent with this, the neurotrophin rapidly increased protein kinase C activity as well as intracellular Ca2+ levels. The effects of both NT-3 and BDNF on Ca2+ levels were attenuated in Ca(2+)-free medium, suggesting that both neurotrophins increase Ca2+ flux across the plasma membrane as well as release from internal stores. NT-3 also increased c-Fos expression in > 80% of the cells; the effect peaked at 30 min and declined to baseline by 120 min. Despite the activation of ras-MAP kinase and phosphoinositide signaling pathways, neither NT-3 nor BDNF alone or in combination could sustain hippocampal pyramidal neurons deprived of glial support. We conclude that in this system NT-3 and BDNF do not appear to be acting as classical "neurotrophic" factors and that activation of the MAP kinase pathway is insufficient for the promotion of neuronal survival.
The binding of a glycopeptide component of wheat gluten to intestinal mucosa of normal and coeliac human subjects.

Abstract A carbohydrate-containing component of wheat gluten (glyc-gli) has been prepared which is toxic to coeliac intestinal mucosa. Its amino acid composition is uniquely different from that of the parent gluten and from α-gliadin. This glyc-gli material has been shown to bind to membrane components of the coeliac intestinal cell but to bind only poorly to normal intestinal cell membranes. Furthermore this binding can be interfered with by exogenous free carbohydrate suggesting that the toxic moiety of gluten acts in an analagous way to plant lectins. These data suggest that the underlying defect in coeliac disease is related to the composition of the surface membrane of the enterocyte.
Contemplation and the Moral Life in Confucius and Aristotle

Aristotle’s best human life is attained through theoretical contemplation, and Confucius’ is attained through practical cultivation of the social self. However, I argue that in the best human life for both Confucius and Aristotle, a form of theoretical contemplation must occur and can only occur with an ethical commitment to community life. Confucius, like Aristotle, sees that the best contemplation comes after later-life, greater-learning and is central to ethical and community life. Aristotle, like Confucius, sees the best contemplation as presupposing full ethical commitment to community life. So, I argue for the theses that: (a) on Aristotle’s view, the best human contemplation requires one be fully morally good; (b) on Confucius’ view, to be fully morally good requires the best human contemplation; (c) being fully morally good for both requires commitment to the good of others and the community.
Induction of ethanol dependence increases signal peptidase mRNA levels in rat brain

Differential Northern blot hybridization was used as a screening tool to identify mRNAs that respond quantitatively to the induction of ethanol dependence. Adult male rats were treated with repeated, high doses of ethanol for 4 consecutive days. This regimen resulted in the development of tolerance and dependence upon ethanol. RNA isolated from the ethanol-dependent rat brains was used to construct a cDNA library. One cDNA was identified that hybridized to a mRNA which increased in rat brain during the ethanol treatment. Sequence analysis of the cDNA indicated that it recognized a mRNA in rat brain which was very similar to that which encodes the 18 kDa subunit of canine signal peptidase. The rat signal peptidase mRNA was observed to increase in brain nearly 2-fold within 48 h after the initiation of ethanol treatment. Ethanol did not significantly alter β-actin mRNA levels during the treatment period. These results support the existence of an ethanol-responsive signal peptidase mRNA in rat brain.
Cardiolipin mediates cross-talk between mitochondria and the vacuole.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an anionic phospholipid with a dimeric structure predominantly localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane, where it is closely associated with mitochondrial function, biogenesis, and genome stability (Daum, 1985 ; Janitor and Subik, 1993 ; Jiang et al., 2000 ; Schlame et al., 2000 ; Zhong et al., 2004 ). Previous studies have shown that yeast mutant cells lacking CL due to a disruption in CRD1, the structural gene encoding CL synthase, exhibit defective colony formation at elevated temperature even on glucose medium (Jiang et al., 1999 ; Zhong et al., 2004 ), suggesting a role for CL in cellular processes apart from mitochondrial bioenergetics. In the current study, we present evidence that the crd1Δ mutant exhibits severe vacuolar defects, including swollen vacuole morphology and loss of vacuolar acidification, at 37°C. Moreover, vacuoles from crd1Δ show decreased vacuolar H+-ATPase activity and proton pumping, which may contribute to loss of vacuolar acidification. Deletion mutants in RTG2 and NHX1, which mediate vacuolar pH and ion homeostasis, rescue the defective colony formation phenotype of crd1Δ, strongly suggesting that the temperature sensitivity of crd1Δ is a consequence of the vacuolar defects. Our results demonstrate the existence of a novel mitochondria-vacuole signaling pathway mediated by CL synthesis.
Cell-mediated cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated in vitro for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus-infected cells

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from calves infected with and hyperimmunized to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) were stimulated in vitro with viral antigens to evaluate their cytotoxicity for a variety of cells. The 51-Cr release assay was used to measure cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity was not present in fresh nonstimulated cells, but was detected in cultured, IBRV-stimulated cells at day 3, was maximal at day 7, and declined thereafter. PBMC stimulated in vitro with IBRV expressed a preference for killing IBRV-infected cells compared to pseudorabies virus (PRV)-infected cells. IBRV-infected, but not PRV-infected, cold target cells inhibited lysis of IBRV-labeled target cells. High concentrations of IBRV hyperimmune serum partially blocked cytotoxicity. Cells expressing a viral preference for cytotoxicity showed no preference for lysis of autologous compared to heterologous bovine cells. PBMC from calves that were either IBRV-immune or not immune were cultured without IBRV stimulation and had similar levels of cytotoxicity for IBRV-infected cells as cells from IBRV-infected cattle.
Engagement with Mathematics Courseware in Traditional and Online Remedial Learning Environments: Relationship to Self-Efficacy and Achievement.

This research applied Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory to examine engagement with courseware in traditional and online remedial mathematics learning environments. The study investigated the relationship of courseware engagement to age, computer self-efficacy, computer playfulness, and self-efficacy for self-regulated mathematics learning. The study also analyzed mathematics achievement in terms of engagement, age, gender, mathematics grade self-efficacy, and self-efficacy for self regulated mathematics learning. Participants were 88 students in a traditional environment and 76 students in an online environment. The two groups differed significantly in age, mathematics grade self-efficacy, computer self-efficacy, computer playfulness, courseware engagement, and mathematics achievement. When controlled for age, all significant differences found between the two groups persisted. When controlled for mathematics self-efficacy, the groups no longer differed significantly in mathematics achievement, but ...
The ratio of pre- to postganglionic neurons and related issues in the autonomic nervous system

The motor outflow of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is differentiated into two major divisions, parasympathetic (PSNS) and sympathetic (SNS). Both are organized hierarchically into pre- and postganglionic levels, but classically the two divisions have been assumed to differ in their ratios of pre- to postganglionic neurons. The PSNS been characterized as having lower ('one-to-few') ratios, whereas the SNS has been described as possessing higher ('one-to-many') ratios. These patterns have been assumed to measure differing divergences of the outflows. In this review, a ratio of pre- to postganglionic neurons is called a ratio index, and the idea that the PSNS and SNS have characteristically different ratio indexes and divergences is called the ratio rule. The putative differences in the ratio indexes of the two divisions - as well as Fulton's influential proposal that they form one of the bases of contrasting functional capacities of the PSNS and SNS - have been widely accepted for nearly for nearly three quarters of a century. A survey of the original observations yielding the concept of the ratio rule as well as the more recent estimates of pre- and postganglionic numbers, however, challenges both the generality and the adequacy of the ratio rule and indexes. The originally formulated differences between the PSNS and SNS represent an overgeneralization since they were based on observations of only two ganglia, the ciliary ganglion in the PSNS and the superior cervical ganglion in the SNS. Furthermore, these original estimates were based on limited samples and were subject to a number of counting artifacts. A survey of the literature suggests that ratio indexes vary much more within each ANS division than they do between the two divisions. When ganglia other than the ciliary and superior cervical are examined, the two divisions of the ANS have broad, largely overlapping ranges of ratio indexes. Additionally, other PSNS-SNS pairs can be found in which the relative sizes of their respective indexes are completely contrary to the ratio rule. For a given ganglion, there are substantial differences in the ratio index between species, between individuals of the same species, and between stages of development in the same species. Furthermore, both divisions of the ANS have wide and largely overlapping ranges of physiological effects varying from specific to diffuse, from local to widespread. Finally, the ratio index measure ignores the degree of convergence found in different ganglia, and it is insensitive to the fact that many ganglia have multiple functionally distinct motor neuron pools, each with separate inputs varying in their degrees of divergence and/or convergence. Thus ratio indexes do not differentiate the PSNS from the SNS, and conclusions based on such putative distinctions are questionable.
Urinary excretion of histamine after administration of cortisone.

ADMINISTRATION of cortisone reduces the concentration of histamine in the blood of guinea pigs, dogs and human beings (1). The present study was undertaken to determine whether oral administration of cortisone would affect the excretion of histamine in the urine of healthy human beings. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Free and conjugated forms of histamine were determined in the urine by the method of Roberts and Adam (2). The mean recovery of histamine by this procedure is about 67 per cent (2, 3) and, if desired, a factor may be applied to correct for the loss. The results given in the present paper, however, are uncorrected and are expressed in terms of the free base of histamine. In each test the urine passed during twenty-four hours was collected in a chemically clean bottle of 2-liter capacity containing 10 ml. of twice normal hydrochloric acid to maintain the urine at a pH of 5 or less. The urine was stored in a refrigerator until the extraction of histamine was started;
Minority stressors and dual identities: an analysis of lesbians' expressive writing journals.

SUMMARY The purpose of the current study was to examine the content of the expressive writing journals of female sexual minorities. In addition, the relationship between the content of expressive writing journals and mood and perceived stress measured two months later was examined. Journal content was also examined as a function of demographic characteristics. Thirty-nine participants each wrote a total of six journal entries about significant stressful or traumatic events or recurring problems they have experienced as lesbians. Topics that participants wrote about were differentness, leading a double life, coming out, discrimination, rejection, fears of rejection and safety, self-acceptance, and same- and opposite-sex intimate experiences. Themes of feeling different, negative coming out experiences, and negative same-sex intimate experiences were associated with more psychological distress two months after the expressive writing exercise. Occupational level was associated with themes related to leading ...
Some metabolic studies of β-aminoisobutyric acid.

Abstract DL-β-aminoisobutyric acid-β- 14 C was synthesized and administered intraperitoneally to rats. Radioactivity was incorporated into all vascular tissues. Maximum radioactivity was found in rat livers and kidneys within 30 minutes after injection. β-Aminoisobutyric acid-β- 14 C was readily converted to 14 CO 2 . In two hours, about 20% of the injected dose appeared as 14 CO 2 . Approximately 17% of the injected radioactivity was excreted in the urine in 24 hours. Fractionation of the urine by ion exchange chromatography revealed the presence of several radioactive peaks. Two peaks have been identified, one as unchanged β-aminoisobutyric acid and the other as N-acetyl-β-aminoisobutyric acid. When β-aminoisobutyric acid-β- 14 C together with an overload of succinate was given intraperitoneally to rats, succinate- 14 C was isolated from the urine. Degradation of urinary- 14 C-succinate by the Schmidt reaction revealed the presence of about 80% of the 14 C in the carboxyl carbons and 20% in the methylene carbons. When valine-4- 14 C and an overload of cold β-aminoisobutyric acid was given intraperitoneally to rats, β-aminoisobutyric acid- 14 C was isolated from the urine. These results indicate that succinate is an end produce of β-aminoisobutyric acid catabolism by the rat and that β-aminoisobutyric acid is in equilibrium with the pathway by which valine is metabolized.
Countertransference stress in the treatment of schizophrenic patients

Four aspects of the dance therapist’s experience with schizophrenic patients are discussed: (1) the therapist’s tendency to develop omnipotent strivings; (2) the intensity of the therapist’s emotional involvement with patients; (3) the therapist’s struggle to exercise self-restraint when confronting patients’ inactivity; and (4) the effect on the therapist of the schizophrenics’ sensitivity to the therapist’s unconscious processes. The therapist’s omnipotent fantasies often serve as a defense against the hopelessness of the treatment situation. Another aspect of treating schizophrenics is the intense emotional involvement they demand of the therapist. The schizophrenics’ sensitivity to the therapist’s unconscious processes is a further source of difficulty in working with schizophrenic patients. The dance therapist’s personal investment in movement and possible conflicts about his or her role in the treatment setting provide the patient with ammunition for attacks on the dance therapist. Continued study of counter-transference issues which are both common to all therapies and unique to dance therapy will hopefully contribute to our understanding of the therapeutic process in various modalities.
Element substitution algorithm for general two-terminal network reliability analyses

The computation of the reliability of two-terminal networks is a classical reliability problem. For these types of problems, one is interested, from a general perspective, in obtaining the probability that two specific nodes can communicate. This paper presents a holistic algorithm for the analysis of general networks that follow a two-terminal rationale. The algorithm is based on a set replacement approach and an element inheritance strategy that effectively obtains the minimal cut sets associated with a given network. The vast majority of methods available for obtaining two-terminal reliability are generally based on assumptions about the performance of the network. Some methods assume network components can be in one of two states: (i) either completely failed; or (ii) perfectly functioning, others usually assume that nodes are perfectly reliable and thus, these methods have to be complemented or transformed to account for node failure, and the remaining methods assume minimal cut sets can be readily c...
The tolbutamide site of SUR1 and a mechanism for its functional coupling to KATP channel closure

Micromolar concentrations of tolbutamide will inhibit (SUR1/KIR6.2)4 channels in pancreatic β-cells, but not (SUR2A/KIR6.2)4 channels in cardiomyocytes. Inhibition does not require Mg2+ or nucleotides and is enhanced by intracellular nucleotides. Using chimeras between SUR1 and SUR2A, we show that transmembrane domains 12–17 (TMD12-17) are required for high-affinity tolbutamide inhibition of KATP channels. Deletions demonstrate involvement of the cytoplasmic N-terminus of KIR6.2 in coupling sulfonylurea-binding with SUR1 to the stabilization of an interburst closed configuration of the channel. The increased efficacy of tolbutamide by nucleotides results from an impairment of their stimulatory action on SUR1 which unmasks their inhibitory effects. The mechanism of inhibition of β-cell KATP channels by sulfonylureas during treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus thus involves two components, drug-binding and conformational changes within SUR1 which are coupled to the pore subunit through its N-terminus and the disruption of nucleotide-dependent stimulatory effects of the regulatory subunit on the pore. These findings uncover a molecular basis for an inhibitory influence of SUR1, an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein, on KIR6.2, a ion channel subunit.
Differential effects of tumour promoters on the growth of normal human bronchial epithelial cells and human lung tumour cell lines

Abstract The effects of the tumour promoter, 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on the colony-forming efficiency and growth of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and five lung squamous carcinoma cell lines were compared in medium containing 1% foetal bovine serum. TPA (0.1–5.0 ng/ml) inhibited the growth of NHBE cells and one carcinoma cell line, while four of the five carcinoma lines were less sensitive to the growth inhibitory properties of TPA but were slightly inhibited at higher TPA concentrations. The responses of NHBE cells and carcinoma cells to TPA, and the related compounds, mezerein, 4- O -methyl TPA, and phorbol were then compared in serum-free medium. In general, the removal of serum from the medium increased the differences in the responses to TPA between normal and tumour cells. Two carcinoma lines inhibited by TPA in 1% serum were stimulated by TPA in the absence of serum. Mezerein and, to a lesser extent, 4- O -methyl TPA also produced differential responses in colony-forming efficiencies between tumour lines and NHBE cells. Phorbol had no effect on either NHBE cells or on carcinoma cell lines. The relative insensitivity of carcinoma cell lines to the growth inhibitory effects of tumour promoters is consistent with the hypothesis that tumour promotion involves selection against normal cells to permit clonal expansion of preneoplastic or neoplastic cell types.
A comparison of two noninvasive methods of blood pressure measurement in the triage area

Objective In triage of patients in the emergency department, nurses can identify conditions such as elevated blood pressure that can lead to serious health problems. It is imperative that the method used to evaluate blood pressure is dependable and accurate. The introduction of new technology may yield results that are not comparable to traditional measures. Therefore we compared the traditional auscultatory method of measuring blood pressure with the use of an automated device. Methods The blood pressure of 100 healthy adult volunteers was measured first with the traditional cuff method and then with an automated device (IVAC model 4200). The measurements were recorded and then compared for each individual. Results The mean difference between the paired systolic measurements was 4.3 mm Hg ( p =0.0001). The mean difference between the paired diastolic measurements was 1.3 mm Hg. There was a clinically significant difference (>9 mm Hg) in 37% of the systolic readings and 26% of the diastolic readings. In 76% of those clinically significant systolic differences, the IVAC 4200 measurement exceeded the manual method. For the clinically significant diastolic differences, 58% of the IVAC 4200 measurements were greater than the manual method. Conclusion Clinicians must be cautious when using new technology to measure blood pressure. Results may not be comparable with results obtained with the traditional method.