cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smooth muscle raft-like membranes

We developed a method for extracting raft-like, liquid-ordered membranes from the particulate fraction prepared from porcine trachealis smooth muscle. This fraction, which contains most of the plasma membrane in this tissue, was homogenized in the presence of cold 0.5% Triton X-100. After centrifugation, membranes containing high contents of sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol and low phosphatidylcholine (PC) contents remained in the pellet. Thirty-five millimolar octyl glucoside (OG) extracted 75% of these membranes from the Triton X-100-resistant pellet. These membranes had low buoyant densities and accounted for 28% of the particulate fraction lipid. Their lipid composition, 22% SM, 60% cholesterol, 11% phosphatidylethanolamine, 8% PC, <1% phosphatidylinositol, and coisolation with 5'-nucleotidase and caveolin-1 suggest that they are liquid-ordered membranes. We compared characteristics of OG and Triton X-100 extractions of the particulate fraction. In contrast to Triton X-100 extractions, membranes released from the particulate fraction by OG were mainly collected in low buoyant fractions at densities ranging from 1.05 to 1.11 g/ml and had phospholipid and cholesterol contents consistent with a mixture of liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered membranes. Thus, OG extraction of apparent liquid-ordered membranes from Triton X-100-resistant pellets was not due to selective extraction of these membranes. Low buoyant density appears not to be unique for liquid-ordered membranes.
Importance of the pacing mode in the initiation of ventricular tachyarrhythmia in a canine model of chronic myocardial infarction

The use of unipolar anodal or bipolar pacing, as compared with unipolar cathodal pacing, purportedly increases the likelihood of inducing inadvertent ventricular fibrillation in susceptible patients. In this study, the ability to initiate sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation with unipolar cathodal, unipolar anodal and bipolar pacing modes was compared using programmed ventricular stimulation at 82 subendocardial periinfarction sites in 11 dogs with chronic myocardial infarction. The late diastolic excitability threshold was significantly higher and the ventricular refractory period was significantly shorter (p Thus, at comparably high levels of pacing current, the initiation of ventricular fibrillation was just as likely with unipolar cathodal or bipolar pacing as with unipolar anodal stimulation. Shortening of refractoriness with increasingly higher currents appeared to be an important contributory mechanism. Conversely, pacing from normal sites with low excitability thresholds using either cathodal or bipolar stimulation minimized the risk of inadvertent ventricular fibrillation.
Access, Consider, Teach: ACT in Your Classroom.

University teachers who are teacher educators cannot connect to "The Millennial Generation" of today's preservice learners by using chalk and dull outdated textbooks. When university professionals access the technology available, consider the curriculum, and teach with technology (ACT) undergraduate teacher candidates acquire the vision of teaching their future students with technology.
Increased protein stability causes DNA methyltransferase 1 dysregulation in breast cancer

We report that DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression is dysregulated in breast cancer. The elevated protein levels are not a result of increased mRNA levels, but rather an increase in protein half-life. We found that DNMT1 protein levels were elevated in breast cancer tissues and in MCF-7 breast cancer cells relative to normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) without a concomitant increase in DNMT1 mRNA or proliferative fraction. Although DNMT1 mRNA levels were properly S-phase-regulated in both cell types, DNMT1 protein levels did not follow S-phase fraction in MCF-7 cells. Rather, an increase in DNMT1 protein stability was found for MCF-7 cells relative to HMECs, and a destruction domain was mapped to the N-terminal 120 amino acids of DNMT1, which was required for its proper ubiquitination and degradation in HMECs. Furthermore, overexpression of DNMT1 with this deleted destruction domain in HMECs resulted in significantly increased genomic 5-methylcytosine levels relative to overexpression of the full-length protein. The regulation of DNMT1 destruction via this domain may be dysfunctional in cancer cells leading to subsequent cytosine hypermethylation in the genome.
A review of the health impacts of barium from natural and anthropogenic exposure

There is an increasing public awareness of the relatively new and expanded industrial barium uses which are potential sources of human exposure (e.g., a shale gas development that causes an increased awareness of environmental exposures to barium). However, absorption of barium in exposed humans and a full spectrum of its health effects, especially among chronically exposed to moderate and low doses of barium populations, remain unclear. We suggest a systematic literature review (from 1875 to 2014) on environmental distribution of barium, its bioaccumulation, and potential and proven health impacts (in animal models and humans) to provide the information that can be used for optimization of future experimental and epidemiological studies and developing of mitigative and preventive strategies to minimize negative health effects in exposed populations. The potential health effects of barium exposure are largely based on animal studies, while epidemiological data for humans, specifically for chronic low-level exposures, are sparse. The reported health effects include cardiovascular and kidney diseases, metabolic, neurological, and mental disorders. Age, race, dietary patterns, behavioral risks (e.g., smoking), use of medications (those that interfere with absorbed barium in human organism), and specific physiological status (e.g., pregnancy) can modify barium effects on human health. Identifying, evaluating, and predicting the health effects of chronic low-level and moderate-level barium exposures in humans is challenging: Future research is needed to develop an understanding of barium bioaccumulation in order to mitigate its potential health impacts in various exposured populations. Further, while occupationally exposed at-risk populations exist, it is also important to identify potentially vulnerable subgroups among non-occupationally exposed populations (e.g., elderly, pregnant women, children) who are at higher risk of barium exposure from drinking water and food.
Factors Influencing the Liver Fat Content of Laying Hens

Abstract An incidence of mortality from hemorrhage in fatty livers of Cornell experimental flocks is described. Hens fed diets varying in energy or protein content showed a wide range in liver fat content when sampled at various times during the laying year. The ability of individual hens to adjust to changes in energy concentration of the diet was not correlated with liver fat content. In hens fed specific diets, liver fat was not correlated with energy intake or rate of egg production. Feeding a low energy diet for 21 days caused a reduction in liver fat, compared to that in hens fed a control diet. However, when the hens were returned to the control diet, liver fat quickly returned to the level found in hens fed the control diet continuously. When hens were force fed 10% more feed than ad libitum controls consumed, marked increases in liver size and fat content occurred, but no mortality was observed from liver hemorrhages. Fatty livers had a higher content of neutral lipid, mainly triglyceride, than livers lower in fat. The content of oleic acid increased and linoleic acid decreased as liver fat increased. This suggests that fatty acid biosynthesis is the major source of the lipid in fatty livers. These studies showed that liver fat content of hens is variable and that high levels of liver fat are not necessarily detrimental to laying performance. Hemorrhages from fatty livers may be related to other factors than liver fat content per se.
Dangerous disease, dangerous women: Health, anxiety, and advertising in Shanghai from 1928 to 1937

Advertisements related to health, like other media content, often present a site laden with ideological positions and indicators of prominent theories of social relations. In so far as a society is enmeshed in large-scale structural change and tension, for example, such an arena could be one place to find evidence of anxiety and efforts to define scapegoats. In this discussion, the authors briefly explore advertisements related to sexually transmitted disease that appeared in the Chinese newspaper, Shenbao, during the tumultuous Nationalist period from 1928 to 1937. Fear-based appeals, or approaches that employ words and pictures emphasizing negative consequences or expressing a tone of anxiety, were predominant among advertisements assessed. Moreover, women who worked as commercial sex workers often were depicted as a source of danger and societal instability. This analysis joins a growing body of literature that focuses attention on dimensions of health advertisements and media coverage of health beyond...
An Approach to the Delineation of Rural Banking Markets

A cross-demand schedule approach is modified to develop a procedure for delineating product and service markets. Firms are classified as either rivals or nonrivals based on a statistical examination of response times to price adjustments. A test of the approach is made for the delineation of banking markets. Preliminary results indicate that the procedure may have potential for assisting policy makers in decisions regarding the competitive environment of the banking industry.
A Longitudinal Study of Change in Domain-Specific Self-Efficacy among Older Adults

Predictors of change in domain-specific self-efficacy were examined in a sample of community-residing men and women aged 62 and older. Self-efficacy perceptions were assessed for eight domains of living: productivity, health, transportation, family relationships, relationships with friends, finances, safety, and living arrangements. Using pooled logistic regression models, both baseline and time-varying predictors of decline and improvement in self-efficacy were examined. The results indicated that while demographic and health factors were predictive of decline in self-efficacy for some domains of living, the most consistent predictors of decline were psychosocial characteristics. Specifically, prior levels of depression were associated with decline in the transportation, family relationships, relationships with friends, financial, safety, and living arrangements domains of living. The presence of a domain-specific hassle was associated with a decline in self-efficacy for the transportation, family relationships, finances, and living arrangements domains. In addition, lower levels of social network contact were predictive of decline in the health and safety domains, and the absence of instrumental support was also associated with decline in the productivity, health, and transportation domains of living. Improvements in self-efficacy perceptions were associated with fewer of the health and psychosocial characteristics and were primarily influenced by the availability of financial and emotional support resources.
Physics and Chemistry, and the Archives of Snow and Firn: Workshop on the Microstructure and Properties of Firn; Hanover, New Hampshire, 10–11 March 2008

A workshop was held at Dartmouth College to share recent international developments and discuss future directions for research on relationships between the microstructure and the physical and chemical properties of snow and firn. Firn is snow that has remained on the ground for more than 1 year, during which time it may or may not have experienced some degree of wetting or melting. In the cold interiors of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, firn starts on the surface as snow and remains frozen and cold through subsequent snowfalls over many decades, until it becomes compacted into ice, some 80–120 meters deep in the ice sheet.
High levels of adherence do not prevent accumulation of HIV drug resistance mutations.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between development of antiretroviral drug resistance and adherence by measured treatment duration, virologic suppression, and the rate of accumulating new drug resistance mutations at different levels of adherence. Methods: Adherence was measured with unannounced pill counts performed at the participant's usual place of residence in a prospective cohort of HIV-positive urban poor individuals. Two genotypic resistance tests separated by 6 months (G1 and G2) were obtained in individuals on a stable regimen and with detectable viremia (> 50 copies/ml). The primary resistance outcome was the number of new HIV antiretroviral drug resistance mutations occurring over the 6 months between G1 and G2. Results: High levels of adherence were closely associated with greater time on treatment (P 50 copies/ml on stable therapy, the accumulation of new drug resistance mutations was positively associated with the duration of prior treatment (P= 0.03) and pill count adherence (P= 0.002). Assuming fully suppressed individuals (< 50 copies/ml) do not develop resistance, it was estimated that 23% of all drug resistance occurs in the top quintile of adherence (92-100%), and over 50% of all drug resistance mutations occur in the top two quintiles of adherence (79-100%). Conclusion: Increasing rates of viral suppression at high levels of adherence is balanced by increasing rates of drug resistance among viremic patients. Exceptionally high levels of adherence will not prevent population levels of drug resistance.
Multimode WDM using holographic gratings and substrate guided waves

Wavelength division multiplexing and demultiplexing (WDDM) techniques are the two key technologies for upgrading optical communication system bandwidth. The use of WDM technologies not only provides high speed optical communication links, but also provide advantages such as higher data rates, format transparency, and self-routing. Over the past twenty years, many kinds of WDDM device technologies have been developed and demonstrated. WDDM devices using dispersive photopolymer or dichromated gelatin volume holographic gratings have been recently reported. In this paper, we report an integrated four-channel multimode fiber compatible WDDM system with four semiconductor lasers operating at 750, 780, 810 and 840 nm, respectively. The device is demonstrated using the combination of graded index lenses, photopolymer based holographic gratings and substrate-guided waves.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Rapid scan imaging FTS for the high throughput analysis of combinatorial libraries

Key instrumental developments in the application of FTIR imaging to the study of combinatorial libraries will be highlighted, along with specific examples that demonstrate the flexibility and usefulness of this approach.
Neck extension results in more than twice the magnitude of endotracheal tube displacement than neck flexion in low birthweight infants. 1023

Establishing and maintaining correct endotracheal tube (ETT) position is crucial to mechanical ventilation of the critically ill neonate. Although a significant number of low birthweight infants require endotracheal intubation, there have been few studies that have examined the effects of neck movement on ETT position in this population. The objective of this postmortem study was to determine the effects of neck flexion and extension on endotracheal tube (ETT) position in low birthweight infants. Method: Eight low birthweight orotracheally-intubated infants underwent three sets of anteroposterior chest radiographs with the neck in the following positions: neutral, flexed(55°) and extended (55°). Radiographic measurements from the thoracic inlet to the ETT tip were obtained in each position. Results: The ETT tip always moved caudad with neck flexion (p<0.001) and rostrally with neck extension (p<0.001). The magnitude of ETT displacement was 3.1mm (+/- 1.7mm) and 7.4mm (+/- 5.2mm) with neck flexion and extension, respectively(p<0.05). Conclusions: 1. The direction of ETT movement in low birthweight infants with neck flexion and extension is predictable and identical to that seen in term infants and children. 2. Neck extension(55°) results in more than twice the magnitude of ETT displacement than flexion (55°).
Reciprocally altruistic agents for the mitigation of cascading failures in electrical power networks

Cascading failures in electrical power networks often come with disastrous consequences. A variety of schemes for mitigating cascading failures exist, but the vast majority depend upon centralized control architectures. Centralized designs are frequently more susceptible to communications latency and bandwidth limitations and can be vulnerable to random failures and directed attacks. This paper proposes a decentralized approach. We place control agents at each substation in a power network, each of which uses decentralized model predictive control to select emergency control actions. When making decisions the control agents consider not only their own goals, but also the goals of nearby agents. Thus the agents act with reciprocal altruism. Results from simulations of extreme cascading failures within the IEEE 300 bus test network indicate that this approach can dramatically reduce the average size and social cost of large cascading failures. Simulations also show that the bandwidth required for message passing is well within the limits of current technology.
BLISTERING AND EXPLOSIVE DESORPTION OF IRRADIATED AMMONIA-WATER MIXTURES

We present laboratory studies on the thermal evolution of a solid ammonia-water mixture after it has been irradiated at 20, 70, and 120 K. In samples irradiated at {<=}70 K, we observed fast outbursts that appear to indicate grain ejection and correlate well with the formation of micron-sized scattering centers. The occurrence of this phenomenon at the lower irradiation temperatures indicates that our results may be most relevant for understanding the release of gas and grains by comets and the surfaces of some of the colder icy satellites. We observe outgassing at temperatures below those where ice sublimates, which suggests that comets containing radiolyzed material may have outbursts farther from the Sun that those that are passive. In addition, the estimated size of the grains ejected from our sample is on the order of the size of E-ring particles, suggesting that our results give a plausible mechanism for how micron-sized grains could be formed from an icy surface. Finally, we propose that the presence of the {approx}4.5 {mu}m N{sub 2}O absorption band on an icy surface in outer space will serve to provide indirect evidence for radiation-processed ices that originally contained ammonia or nitrogen, which could be particularly useful sincemore » nitrogen is such a weak absorber in the infrared and ammonia is rapidly decomposed by radiolysis.« less
Routing in ad-hoc networks using minimum connected dominating sets

We impose a virtual backbone structure on the ad-hoc network, in order to support unicast, multicast, and fault-tolerant routing within the ad-hoc network. This virtual backbone differs from the wired backbone of cellular networks in two key ways: (a) it may change as nodes move, and (b) it is not used primarily for routing packets or flows, but only for computing and updating routes. The primary routes for packets and flows are still computed by a shortest-paths computation; the virtual backbone can, if necessary provide backup routes to handle interim failures. Because of the dynamic nature of the virtual backbone, our approach splits the routing problem into two levels: (a) find and update the virtual backbone, and (b) then find and update routes. The key contribution of this paper is to describe several alternatives for the first part of finding and updating the virtual backbone. To keep the virtual backbone as small as possible we use an approximation to the minimum connected dominating set (MCDS) of the ad-hoc network topology as the virtual backbone. The hosts in the MCDS maintain local copies of the global topology of the network, along with shortest paths between all pairs of nodes.
Immune recognition of the 60kD heat shock protein: implications for subsequent fertility.

The 60kD heat shock protein (hsp60) is a highly conserved protein and a dominant antigen of most pathogenic bacteria. In some women, chronic or repeated upper genital tract infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, and possibly with other microorganisms, induces immune sensitization to epitopes ofhsp60 that are present in both the microbial and human hsp60. Once awoman becomes sensitized to these conserved epitopes, any subsequent induction of human or bacterial hsp60 expression will reactivate hsp60-sensitized lymphocytes and initiate a pro-inflammatory immune response. Hsp60 is expressed during the early stages of pregnancy, by both the embryo and the maternal decidua. We examined, therefore, whether women who were sensitized to hsp60 experienced less successful pregnancy outcomes compared to women who were not sensitized to this antigen. In women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), the presence of cervical IgA antibodies reactive with the C. trachomatis hsp60 correlated with implantation failure after embryo transfer. Further analysis revealed that an immunodominant epitope for these IgA antibodies was an hsp60 epitope shared between C. trachomatis and man. In subsequent studies ofwomen not undergoing IVF, cervical IgA antibodies to the human hsp60 were identified in 13 of 91 reproductive age women. This antibody was most prevalent in those women with a history of primary infertility (p 0.003). In addition, cervical anti-hsp60 IgA correlated with the detection of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-/ (p 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-{x (p 0.02) in the cervix. Conversely, women with proven fertility had the highest prevalence of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 10, in their cervices (p 0.001). In an analysis of serum samtles in a third study, women with a history oftwo ormore consecutive first trimester spontaneous abortions had a higher prevalence (p 0.01) of IgG antibodies to the human hsp60 (36.8%) than did age matched fertile women (11.1%) or women with primary infertility (11.8%). Immune sensitization to epitopes expressed by the human hsp60 may reduce the probability of a successful pregnancy outcome due to reactivation ofhsp60-reactive lymphocytes, induction ofa pro-inflammatory cytokine response and interference with early embryo development and/or implantation. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Towards identification of molecular mechanisms of short stature

Growth evaluations are among the most common referrals to pediatric endocrinologists. Although a number of pathologies, both primary endocrine and non-endocrine, can present with short stature, an estimated 80% of evaluations fail to identify a clear etiology, leaving a default designation of idiopathic short stature (ISS). As a group, several features among children with ISS are suggestive of pathophysiology of the GH–IGF-1 axis, including low serum levels of IGF-1 despite normal GH secretion. Candidate gene analysis of rare cases has demonstrated that severe mutations of genes of the GH–IGF-1 axis can present with a profound height phenotype, leading to speculation that a collection of mild mutations or polymorphisms of these genes can explain poor growth in a larger proportion of patients. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified ~180 genomic loci associated with height that together account for approximately 10% of height variation. With only modest representation of the GH–IGF-1 axis, there is little support for the long-held hypothesis that common genetic variants of the hormone pathway provide the molecular mechanism for poor growth in a substantial proportion of individuals. The height-associated common variants are not observed in the anticipated frequency in the shortest individuals, suggesting rare genetic factors with large effect are more plausible in this group. As we advance towards establishing a molecular mechanism for poor growth in a greater percentage of those currently labeled ISS, we highlight two strategies that will likely be offered with increasing frequency: (1) unbiased genetic technologies including array analysis for copy number variation and whole exome/genome sequencing and (2) epigenetic alterations of key genomic loci. Ultimately data from subsets with similar molecular etiologies may emerge that will allow tailored interventions to achieve the best clinical outcome.
An application of prophet regions to optimal stopping with a random number of observations

Let X 1,X 2 , … be any sequence of nonnegative integrable random variables, and let N∈{1,2 , …} be a random variable with known distribution, independent of X 1,X 2 , …. The optimal stopping value sup t E(Xt I(N≥ t)) is considered for two players: one who has advance knowledge of the value of N, and another who does not. Sharp ratio and difference inequalities relating the two players' optimal values are given in a number of settings. The key to the proofs is an application of a prophet region for arbitrarily dependent random variables by Hill and Kertz [T.P. Hill and R.P. Kertz (1983). Stop rule inequalities for uniformly bounded sequences of random variables. Trans. Amer. Math. Soc., 278, 197–207].
Using Simulation to Investigate Requirements Prioritization Strategies

Agile and traditional plan-based approaches to software system development both agree that prioritizing requirements is an essential activity. They differ in basic strategy - when to prioritize, to what degree, and how to guide implementation. As with many software engineering methods, verifying the benefit of following a particular approach is a challenge. Industry and student/classroom based experimental studies are generally impractical to use for large numbers of controlled experiments and benefits are difficult to measure directly. We use simulation to validate the fundamental, yet typically intangible benefits of requirements prioritization strategies. Our simulation is directly based on detailed empirical studies of agile and plan-based requirements management studies. Our simulation shows, as many have claimed, that an agile strategy excels when requirements are highly volatile, whereas a plan-based strategy excels when requirements are stable, and that there exist mixed strategies that are better than either for typical development efforts.
Cerebral Desaturation During Single-Lung Ventilation Is Negatively Correlated With Preoperative Respiratory Functions

Objectives To evaluate the percent change of cerebral oxygen saturation (SctO2) during single-lung ventilation (SLV) and its correlation with preoperative respiratory functions. Design A prospective, observational study. Setting Clinical hospital. Participants Forty patients scheduled for pulmonary lobectomy requiring one-lung ventilation for at least 1 hour under combined epidural/general anesthesia. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results SctO2 was measured using an INVOS 5100 (Somanetics Corp, Troy, MI) before anesthesia (baseline value) and until SLV was completed. In addition, arterial blood gases (ABGs) were measured every 30 minutes. The minimum SctO2 value during SLV was recorded and percent change from baseline calculated. The correlations with preoperative respiratory function (percent volume capacity [%VC], and percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]) and preoperative ABG levels (PaO2 and PaCO2) were examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The level of statistical significance was set at p Conclusions Greater decreases were found in SctO2 during SLV in patients with better preoperative respiratory function. These findings suggest that intraoperative monitoring during SLV should include not only measurement of SpO2 and PaO2 but also SctO2.
Warming-related increases in soil CO2 efflux are explained by increased below-ground carbon flux

The universally observed exponential increase in soil-surface CO2 effux (‘soil respiration’; FS) with increasing temperature has led to speculation that global warming will accelerate soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition, reduce SOC storage, and drive a positive feedback to future warming. However, interpreting temperature–FS relationships, and so modelling terrestrial carbon balance in a warmer world, is complicated by the many sources of respired carbon that contribute to FS and a poor understanding of how temperature influences SOC decomposition rates. Here we quantified FS, litterfall, bulk SOC and SOC fraction size and turnover, and total below-ground carbon flux (TBCF) across a highly constrained 5.2 degree C mean annual temperature (MAT) gradient in tropical montane wet forest. From these, we determined that: increases in TBCF and litterfall explain >90% of the increase in FS with MAT; bulk SOC and SOC fraction size and turnover rate do not vary with MAT; and increases in TBCF and litterfall do not influence SOC storage or turnover on century to millennial timescales. This gradient study shows that for tropical montane wet forest, long-term and whole-ecosystem warming accelerates below-ground carbon processes with no apparent impact on SOC storage.
Classical Bearing Misalignment and Edge Loading: A Numerical Study of Limiting Cases

This paper investigates transient and steady state behavior of grooveless, axially (angularly) misaligned bearings using finite element formulations of the complete two-dimensional Reynolds equation. Performance trends of misaligned bearings are compared with their aligned counterparts within the traditional framework of classical lubrication theory. Elastic/plastic deformations, thermal effects, surface roughness, and pressure-viscosity variations are not taken into account. It is found that axially misaligned bearings have infinite load and moment capacity as the endplane minimum film thickness approaches zero under transient journal squeeze motion and under steady load and speed conditions. These results differ markedly from finite capacity trends reported previously in both numerical and experimental studies. Predictions of squeeze rate and load capacity based on axially aligned bearings are also shown to be sufficient to approximate squeeze rate and load capacity for axially misaligned bearings for an appreciable range of midplane eccentricity ratios.
Eukaryotic G Protein Signaling Evolved to Require G Protein–Coupled Receptors for Activation

Although bioinformatic analysis of the increasing numbers of diverse genome sequences and amount of functional data has provided insight into the evolution of signaling networks, bioinformatics approaches have limited application for understanding the evolution of highly divergent protein families. We used biochemical analyses to determine the in vitro properties of selected divergent components of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding protein (G protein) signaling network to investigate signaling network evolution. In animals, G proteins are activated by cell-surface seven-transmembrane (7TM) receptors, which are named G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) and function as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). In contrast, the plant G protein is intrinsically active, and a 7TM protein terminates G protein activity by functioning as a guanosine triphosphatase–activating protein (GAP). We showed that ancient regulation of the G protein active state is GPCR-independent and “self-activating,” a property that is maintained in Bikonts, one of the two fundamental evolutionary clades containing eukaryotes, whereas G proteins of the other clade, the Unikonts, evolved from being GEF-independent to being GEF-dependent. Self-activating G proteins near the base of the Eukaryota are controlled by 7TM-GAPs, suggesting that the ancestral regulator of G protein activation was a GAP-functioning receptor, not a GEF-functioning GPCR. Our findings indicate that the GPCR paradigm describes a recently evolved network architecture found in a relatively small group of Eukaryota and suggest that the evolution of signaling network architecture is constrained by the availability of molecules that control the activation state of nexus proteins.
Monitoring 14-3-3 Protein Interactions with a Homogeneous Fluorescence Polarization Assay:

The 14-3-3 proteins mediate phosphorylation-dependent protein-protein interactions. Through binding to numerous client proteins, 14-3-3 controls a wide range of physiological processes and has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. To better understand the structure and function of 14-3-3 proteins and to develop small-molecule modulators of 14-3-3 proteins for physiological studies and potential therapeutic interventions, the authors have designed and optimized a highly sensitive fluorescence polarization (FP)-based 14-3-3 assay. Using the interaction of 14-3-3 with a fluorescently labeled phosphopeptide from Raf-1 as a model system, they have achieved a simple 1-step "mix-and-measure" method for analyzing 14-3-3 proteins. This is a solution-based, versatile method that can be used to monitor the binding of 14-3-3 with a variety of client proteins. The 14-3-3 FP assay is highly stable and has achieved a robust performance in a 384-well format with a demonstrated signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10 and a Z' factor greater than 0.7. Because of its simplicity and high sensitivity, this assay is generally applicable to studying 14-3-3/client-protein interactions and especially valuable for high-throughput screening of 14-3-3 modulators.
Mixed layer sub-mesoscale parameterization – Part 2: Results for coarse resolution OGCMs

Abstract. Recent studies have shown that sub-mesoscales (SM, ~1 km) play an important role in mixed layer dynamics and have concluded that it has become necessary to include them in ocean global circulation models, OGCMs. In part A, we developed and assessed a parameterization of the vertical SM tracer flux for OGCMs that resolve mesoscales M but not SM. In the present paper, we derive a parameterization of the vertical SM tracer flux for OGCMs that do not resolve either M or SM, as those used in climate studies.
The Results of Penetrating Keratoplasty for Pellucid Marginal Corneal Degeneration

Over a 14-year period from 1974 to 1988, 12 eyes of 11 patients with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Peripheral corneal thinning required a large eccentric graft in each case. Follow-up ranged from one to eight years (mean, three years). One graft failed because of a persistent epithelial defect with keratolysis of the wound. Although endothelial allograft rejection was common, occurring in seven of 11 (64%) clear grafts, no graft failed because of rejection. Other complications included retinal detachment and a bacterial corneal ulcer. Suture erosion and vascularization of the graft were not problems. Postoperative spectacle correction was dispensed an average of 11 months after surgery. Visual acuity in seven patients without amblyopia, retinal disease, or a previous corneal ulcer at the time of spectacle correction ranged from 20/20 to 20/40 (mean, 20/30). Average final keratometric astigmatism in these patients was 2.46 diopters (range, 0.00 to 5.25 diopters). We believe that penetrating keratoplasty offers an excellent surgical result for patients with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration
A novel group coordination protocol for collaborative multimedia systems

Group collaboration in distributed multimedia environments extends gradually to larger groups and wide area networks. While reliable multicasting has made significant advancements in recent years, effective mechanisms to synchronize and coordinate work within large multicast groups and across long distances are still lacking. Group coordination is here understood as the mediated access to shared remote resources in synchronous groupwork, as for example in telecollaboration and distributed simulation environments, complementing protocols for group membership, media synchronization and reliable ordered multicast. A comparative analytic model for known classes of group coordination mechanisms, ranging from socially mediated control to floor control in ring and tree topologies, is presented. It is shown that hierarchical group coordination is the most efficient and scalable approach to date. Based on these findings, a novel protocol is described, which dynamically organizes participants in a multilevel control tree and aggregates resource sharing directives on the paths between interacting stations.
Who Benefits from Store Brand Entry

Store brand entry has become a key issue in marketing as it may structurally change the performance of and the interactions among all market players. Based on their multivariate time-series analysis, the authors demonstrate permanent performance effects of store brand entry, typically benefiting the retailer, the consumers, and premium-brand manufacturers, while harming second-tier brand manufacturers. For theretailer, they consistently find twobeneficial effects of store brand entry:high unit margins on the store brand itself and higher unit margins on the national brands. This increase in unit margins implies that the retailer strengthens its bargaining position vis-A -vis national brand manufacturers. However, store brand entry only rarely yields category expansion and does not create store traffic or revenue benefits. Second,consumers do not obtain lower prices on all national brands, only on some second-tier brands. However, they benefit from enlarged product assortment and intensified promotional activity that lowers average price paid for two out of four categories. For themanufacturers, store brand entry is typically beneficial forpremium-price national brands, but not forsecond-tier national brands. Often, premium brands experience lower long-term price sensitivity and higher revenues, whereas second-tier brands experience higher long-term price sensitivity and lower revenues.
Laser- and UV-LED-Induced Fluorescence Detection of Drinking Water and Water-Dissolved Organics

We have developed a deep-UV laser-induced fluorescence system for fluorescence detection of water-dissolved organic species. Deep-UV LEDs also were used as the excitation source. These systems have been employed for real-time monitoring of drinking water.
Inflation Adjustments Affecting Individual Taxpayers in 2002: Analysis and Commentary

Without inflation adjustments to key portions of the tax system, individuals would be faced with an erosion of their purchasing power. Beginning in 1985, Congress implemented an indexation procedure to adjust various income tax components, including the tax rate schedules, standard deduction, and personal and dependency exemptions. Although suspended by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, indexation resumed in 1989 and now applies to many items in the tax system. In this article, Young discusses 2002 inflation adjustments to specific portions of the individual tax system that are tied to a "consumer price index year" ending in August. Items adjusted by this indexation procedure include the tax rate schedules, standard deductions, exemptions (and related phase-out), the overall limit on itemized deductions, and some computational elements related to the unearned income of minor children, child credit, earned income credit, educational savings bonds, education credits, qualified transportation fringe benefits, medical savings accounts, and long-term care insurance premiums.
The Reality of a Real-Time UNIX Operating System

Industry standards will be the basis for the next generation of real-time systems. These industry standard systems, termed Open Systems, provide a number of advantages for users. Open systems reduce system cost and time to market, increase availability of software packages, increase ease-of-use, facilitate system integration, and can provide complete software portability.
Studies on the Effect of Splenectomy on the Total Leukocyte Count in the Albino Rat

1. Following splenectomy in the albino rat, the total leukocyte count increased approximately 100 per cent in seven days, and remained significantly elevated for seventy to ninety days, after which time time leukocytes returned to normal levels. This increase in circulating leukocytes was due to an increase in both neutrophils and mononuclear cells. Partial omentectomy and unilateral nephrectomy produced increases of less magnitude and much shorter duration than those which followed splenectomy. 2. Removal of as much as 75 per cent of the spleen resulted in a leukocyte increase resembling in magnitude and duration that of control operations. 3. When small portions (less than 10 per cent) of the spleen were transplanted to other sites, the leukocyte response also resembled that which followed the control operations. 4. When splenectomy was performed in one partner of parabiotic rats, no rise occurred in the leukocyte count of either animal. When the spleen of the second partner was then removed, a rise in the leukocyte count of both animals occurred. 5. When rats were made leukopenic by pteroylglutamic acid deficiency, no rise in the leukocytes in the peripheral blood occurred following splenectomy. 6. It is concluded that in the rat the spleen exerts an influence on the level of circulating leukocytes, and that the results of these experiments support but do not conclusively prove the hypothesis that this organ exerts this influence by controlling the rate of production and/or liberation of leukocytes in the bone marrow. These studies do not exclude the possibility that under certain circumstances the spleen may destroy white cells.
New evidence on Truman's decision

President Truman's Potsdam diary and letters reveal a cat-and-mouse game with the Soviets that might have had more to do with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki than the president ever publicly admitted.
3 Cases Peripheral Nerve Paralysis following Acute Poisoning of Sleeping Drugs

1st case: Brachial plexus and median nerve paralysis following the poisoning of Allobarvital and Bonodorin-Na.2nd case: Peroneal nerve paralysis following the poisoning of Adolum.3and case: Ulnar nerve paralysis following the poisoning of Brovarin.We conclude that these peripheral nerve lesion are radiculoneuritis caused by poisoning of sleeping drugs. The reasons are as follows.Sensory paralysis was extensiver than motor paralysis. Pressure pain was noticed not only on the total length of paralyzed nerve, but on the other nerves of paralyzed extremity, In the first case the nerve lesion increased by prescription of Allobarvital 0.1gr.. In all cases the neuralgical pain was noticed, and vitamin B1 took effect.
Time of Oviposition Under “Short Days”

Abstract Although some studies have been conducted on the reproductive performance of the domestic fowl under day-lengths shorter than 24 hours (“short days”) information on the time of oviposition under these treatments is lacking. Davis (1962) reported that differences between number of eggs laid in light and dark periods were nonsignificant for White Leghorn pullets maintained on a 16-hour light-dark cycle. Eggs were counted hourly to establish a production curve during only three light and dark periods. The author reported the low point of the curve occurred at the fifth hour of light and the high point 14 hours later. Biellier (1960) in a study dealing with day lengths varying from 21 hours to 42 hours reported that two peaks in the time of oviposition occurred on the 24, 23, and 22-hour day. The first peak was generally around midday while the second occurred in midafternoon. During the 21-hour day these…
Hazards of the Courtroom: Acts of Violence Against Judges

Threats of violence and actual violence inflicted on federal and state judges by litigants are no longer an aberration but are becoming quite common place. Statistical estimates reveal that over 700 reported threats were received by the United States Marshall’s office in 2005; however, this number does not include the total threats or acts of violence made against all federal, state, and local court officials. Judges are innocent victims against whom threat and actual acts of violence have been committed. In order to prevent violence against judges, understanding why a litigant may lash out against a judge. This paper traces the diverse origins of violence against judges and identifies the various precipitating variables that may trigger such acts against judges.
Criticism of Postmodern Social Theory in Modern Social Theory and Its Enlightenments

As theoretical reflection on the post-modernism changes in western society,postmodern social theory differs from modern social theory on the ideological features.Compared with modern social theory,postmodern social theory shows the strong critical characters,the reflective critical attitude to scientific trend of the social theory,the negative attitude to meta-narrative and the orientation of transcending the dualist way of thinking.It focuses on the questions of the modern social theory in its development process and shows its intrinsic limitation for postmodern social theory to criticize modern social theory.
Preservation solutions used during abdominal transplantation: Current status and outcomes

Organ preservation remains an important contributing factor to graft and patient outcomes. During donor organ procurement and transportation, cellular injury is mitigated through the use of preservation solutions in conjunction with hypothermia. Various preservation solutions and protocols exist with widespread variability among transplant centers. In this review of abdominal organ preservation solutions, evolution of transplantation and graft preservation are discussed followed by classification of preservation solutions according to the composition of electrolytes, impermeants, buffers, antioxidants, and energy precursors. Lastly, pertinent clinical studies in the setting of hepatic, renal, pancreas, and intestinal transplantation are reviewed for patient and graft survival as well as financial considerations. In liver transplants there may be some benefit with the use of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) over University of Wisconsin solution in terms of biliary complications and potential cost savings. Renal grafts may experience increased initial graft dysfunction with the use of Euro-Collins thereby dissuading its use in support of HTK which can lead to substantial cost savings. University of Wisconsin solution and Celsior are favored in pancreas transplants given the concern for pancreatitis and graft thrombosis associated with HTK. No difference was observed with preservation solutions with respect to graft and patient survival in liver, renal, and pancreas transplants. Studies involving intestinal transplants are sparse but University of Wisconsin solution infused intraluminally in combination with an intra-vascular washout is a reasonable option until further evidence can be generated. Available literature can be used to ameliorate extensive variation across centers while potentially minimizing graft dysfunction and improving associated costs.