cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Folate transport in the choroid plexus.

Abstract The uptake of 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-MTHF) by the isolated choroid plexus of hog was studied and shown to be both temperature and time dependent. Uptake of 5-MTHF by the isolated choroid plexus was a saturable process and exhibited a K t of 0.9 × 10 −6 M and Vmax of 1.39 nmole/gm dry wt/min. The system did not require the presence of sodium ion nor was it ouabain sensitive. The presence of metabolic inhibitors, e.g., 2,4-dinitrophenol, did not suppress the uptake rate. Deprivation of oxygen also did not affect the rate of 5-MTHF transport. Addition of folic acid to the incubating medium led to countertransport of intracellular 5-MTHF. Efflux studies also indicated that the majority of the intracellular 5-MTHF was rapidly exchangeable and therefore probably present in the cell water in a free state. Chromatographic analyses confirmed that 5-MTHF was not metabolically altered during the transport process. It is suggested that 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid is transported in the isolated choroid plexus via a carrier-mediated process.
Optimized Entanglement-Assisted Quantum Error Correction

Using convex optimization, we propose entanglement-assisted quantum error-correction procedures that are optimized for given noise channels. We demonstrate through numerical examples that such an optimized error-correction method achieves higher channel fidelities than existing methods. This improved performance, which leads to perfect error correction for a larger class of error channels, is interpreted in at least some cases by quantum teleportation, but for general channels this interpretation does not hold.
Beyond Deficit Thinking: Providing Access for Gifted African American Students.

Nationally, African American students are underrepresented in gifted education programs, and educators everywhere seek ways to identify more gifted Black students. This article addresses a central question in gifted education: How can we recruit and retain more African American students in our gifted programs? The authors review factors affecting the persistent underrepresentation of Black students in gifted education and offer suggestions for recruiting and retaining these able students. The authors' major premise is that a deficit orientation held by educators hinders access to gifted programs for diverse students. This thinking hinders the ability and willingness of educators to recognize the strengths of African American students. Too often, educators interpret differences as deficits, dysfunctions, and disadvantages; thus, many diverse students gain the “at risk” label. We contend that educators must move beyond a deficit orientation in order to recognize the strengths of African American students. C...
Detection of genotyping errors and pseudo‐SNPs via deviations from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium

Genotype error can greatly reduce the power of a genetic study. For family data, genotype error can be assessed by examining marker data for non-Mendelian inconsistencies, closely linked markers for double recombination events, and consistency of duplicate genotypes. For case-control data, duplicate samples are genotyped, and controls are tested for deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Duplicate samples can provide accurate estimates of genotyping error rates, unless systematic genotyping errors have occurred. Although genotyping errors can cause deviations from HWE, these deviations are usually small, and the power to detect them is low except for high rates of genotyping error and/or large sample sizes. An additional problem is that even when deviations from HWE are detected for marker loci, without additional experimentation it is not possible to unequivocally implicate genotyping error as the cause. The power and sample sizes necessary to detect deviations from HWE for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are examined for a variety of genotyping error and pseudo-SNP models. For the majority of genotyping models examined, the power is poor to detect deviations from HWE. For example, for 1,000 controls, if an allele with a frequency of 0.1 fails to amplify for 28% of the heterozygous genotypes producing a sample error rate of 0.05, the power is 0.51 to detect a deviation from HWE at an alpha level of 0.05. On the other hand, the detection of deviations from HWE for pseudo-SNPs (paralogous and ectopic sequence variants) for the majority of models examined produces a power of >0.8 for sample sizes as small as 50 individuals.
Improved equipment for measuring Earth‐current potentials and earth‐resistivity

Although other methods have been proposed for determining the density and direction of the natural electric currents which flow in the Earth's crust, those which have thus far been put into use require two classes of measurements, namely, measurements of the differences of potential between points in the Earth taken in such a way as to yield the potential gradient, and measurements constituting a survey of earth-resistivity in the region where the potential measurements are made. Earth-current observations heretofore have been incomplete, in that the resistivity measurements have not been undertaken. A method has been developed and is now in use at the Watheroo Magnetic Observatory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington by which it is possible to obtain a fair knowledge of the distribution of earth-resistivity, both laterally and with depth. From these two types of measurements, the density and direction of the earth-currents can be determined. The method of measuring potentials which has been in operation at the Watheroo Observatory for over two years, although modeled upon schemes previously used elsewhere, contains some novel features which seem to be genuine improvements.
FISH PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AS AN EMULSIFIER

The emulsifying property of solubilized 10% fish protein concentrate (FPC) adjusted to pH 4, 6 or 8 was tested by substituting it for log liquid whole egg in a mayonnaise-type formula. Adjusting the pH to either 6 or 8 favored firmness and fineness and stability of emulsions. Regardless of pH, the emulsions made with 20g of solubilized 10% FPC were significantly (P < 0.05) more stable than those made with 10 or with 30g.
A FINE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF CLEAVAGE INDUCTION AND FURROWING IN THE EGGS OF ARBACIA PUNCTULATA

A fine structural study has been carried out on the various formed elements present before, during, and after the first cleavage division, not only in normally developing Arbacia eggs, but also in eggs which have been induced to cleave prematurely by high-pressure centrifugation. The aim has been to ascertain whether or not any of the morphologically identifiable components may be involved in initiating the furrowing process. Also, attention has been given to the fine structure of the cytoplasmic cortex, particulary in the walls of the furrow, in the hope of reaching a better understanding of the mechanics of cleavage. The annulate lamellae and the membranous envelope of the nucleus are the only formed elements which disappear shortly before cleavage, not only in eggs undergoing normal division, but also in eggs which have been induced to cleave ahead of schedule by high-pressure, high-force centrifugation. Therefore, it is suggested as a tentative hypothesis that materials liberated upon disintegration of the nuclear membrane and the annulate lamellae play an essential role in initiating and effecting the furrowing reaction, especially since the stratification of these elements in experimentally induced eggs corresponds to the position of the developing furrow. Another of the membranous elements in the egg, the Golgi complex, shows considerable modification as a result of high-pressure centrifugation, but these structures do not undergo disintegration. Rather, they become curled into rounded bodies. The vacuole population is not greatly affected by inducing treatments. During cleavage, both naturally occurring and experimentally induced, a considerable number of 50 A filaments appear in the denser cytoplasmic cortex, but only in the walls of the furrow. These filaments are similar to those which have been demonstrated in a number of contractile cells. Accordingly, it is suggested that this fibrillar system may be actively involved in the development of the cleavage force.
Singular Quadratic Variational Problems

The purpose of this paper is to show that the general theory of quadratic forms developed earlier by the author is applicable to singular variational problems as well as to nonsingular ones. In particular, this general theory is applicable to the singular variational problems associated with Legendre polynomials, associated Legendre polynomials, Jacobi polynomials, and Tchebysheff polynomials.
A general-purpose data extraction language

A large and diverse set of experiments is run by a single data acquisition program. The resulting single-output file format encompassing all possible experimental paradigms allows a corresponding single program to be written to extract data from these files to accumulate descriptive statistics. However, this diversity requires extreme flexibility in specifying the classes of data to be extracted, so that, for example, any sort of sequential effects can be observed in reaction times. An additional constraint is to remove all program complexity other than that imposed by the analysis logic itself, so that psychologists can program their own data analyses. The resulting analysis program provides a general-purpose data extraction language with which the user specifies the desired classes of data to be formed into lists for further operations by the program. The language structure incorporates the natural hierarchy of the data base structure itself and provides a record-specifier syntax with which the class of records at each level of the hierarchy may be selected. Arithmetic, comparison, logical, statistical, and list processing functions are provided that allow array arguments to produce arrays of functional evaluations. These functions can be nested and otherwise combined into expressions to further define classes of data.
Generation of cortical event-related slow potentials in the rat involves nucleus basalis cholinergic innervation.

Abstract These experiments were conducted to gather information regarding the role of cholinergic innervation to the cortex in the generation of event-related slow potentials. The effects of unilateral drug treatments or lesions on ipsilateral and contralateral frontal cortex slow potential (SP) responses were examined in rats. The SP responses were recorded with silver-silver chloride electrodes and were generated by a 2 sec light cue which preceded medial forebrain bundle stimulation. The following approaches were used: (1) microinjection of GABA, procaine or saline into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis; (2) microinjection of atropine or saline subdurally in the SP recording area; (3) electrolytic lesion of the nucleus basalis area; and (4) kainic acid lesion of the nucleus basalis area. The following bilateral measurements were obtained in the lesion studies: choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in cortex and hippocampus; serotonin in cortex, hippocampus, striatum and nucleus accumbens; norepinephrine in cortex and hippocampus; dopamine in striatum and nucleus accumbens; and metabolites of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in these areas. The cortical SP responses were reduced on the side ipsilateral to the injections of GABA and procaine into the nucleus basalis, and on the side of the subdural atropine injection. With either type of lesion, the SP responses on the lesioned side were significantly reduced as compared to the non-lesioned side. Reductions in cortical ChAT and other measures were observed ipsilateral to the electrolytic lesion, but only cortical ChAT activity was reduced in the kainic acid-lesioned animals. Thus, pharmacological depression of nucleus basalis neurons, blockade of cholinergic muscarinic receptors in the cortex, and nucleus basalis lesions that reduce cortical choline acetyltransferase activity depress event-related slow potentials in the rat frontal cortex. These results provide evidence that cortical slow potential responses in the rat are dependent upon cholinergic innervation from the nucleus basalis.
Safe endoscopic treatment of large colonic lipomas using endoscopic looping technique

Abstract Purpose Colonic lipomas are benign, submucosal tumours that are usually asymptomatic. Typically, they are incidentally diagnosed during colonoscopy. Due to a low prevalence, the natural history of lipomas remains largely unknown. While large (>2 cm) lesions can cause symptoms and complications, their endoscopic treatment is not routinely recommended because of prior reports of a high rate of perforation. Methods We used a standardized technique of polypectomy, using endoscopic looping to resect large colonic lipomas in 8 patients and followed their clinical outcomes. Results The mean lipoma size was 3.8 ± 1.2 cm (range 2.5–6 cm). No patient developed bleeding or perforation. On follow-up (mean = 13.5 months, range 2–29), there was one small residual lesion. Conclusion Colonic lipomas larger than 2 cm can be safely and efficaciously removed using endoloop assisted polypectomy technique.
Levodopa Deactivates Enzymes That Regulate Thiol-Disulfide Homeostasis and Promotes Neuronal Cell Death: Implications for Therapy of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by dopaminergic neuronal loss, is attributed to oxidative stress, diminished glutathione (GSH) levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein aggregation. Treatment of PD involves chronic administration of Levodopa (l-DOPA) which is a pro-oxidant and may disrupt sulfhydryl homeostasis. The goal of these studies is to elucidate the effects of l-DOPA on thiol homeostasis in a model akin to PD, i.e., immortalized dopaminergic neurons (SHSY5Y cells) with diminished GSH content. These neurons exhibit hypersensitivity to l-DOPA-induced cell death, which is attributable to concomitant inhibition of the intracellular thiol disulfide oxidoreductase enzymes. Glutaredoxin (Grx) was deactivated in a dose-dependent fashion, but its content was unaffected. Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) reductase (GR) activity was not altered. Selective knockdown of Grx resulted in an increased level of apoptosis, documenting the role of the Grx system in neuronal survival. l-DOPA treatments also led to decreased activities of thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin reductase (TR), concomitant with diminution of their cellular contents. Selective chemical inhibition of TR activity led to an increased level of apoptosis, documenting the Trx system's contribution to neuronal viability. To investigate the mechanism of inhibition at the molecular level, we treated the each isolated enzyme with oxidized l-DOPA. GR, Trx, and TR activities were little affected. However, Grx was inactivated in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion indicative of irreversible adduction of dopaquinone to its nucleophilic active-site Cys-22, consistent with the intracellular loss of Grx activity but not Grx protein content after l-DOPA treatment. Overall l-DOPA is shown to impair the collaborative contributions of the Grx and Trx systems to neuron survival.
Molecular ion emission from single large cluster impacts

Abstract We investigated the emission of the secondary ions stimulated by single impacts of 136 keV Au4004+ projectiles. The study was carried out on targets of glycine, phenylalanine, and C60. In addition, a target of C60 was examined with 18 keV C60+ projectiles. The experiments were performed in the event-by-event bombardment/detection mode. The secondary ions were identified with linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with an 8-anode detector. The Au4004+ projectile induces abundant multi-ion emission, for instance the average number of detected ions (atomic, fragment, molecular and cluster ions) emitted per event from glycine target is 12.5. The glycine intact molecular ion (Gly−) yield is 1.14. The bombardment of a C60 target results in the efficient emission of multiple intact C60− (total yield is 0.15).
Positional frequency and versatility of letters for six-, seven-, and eight-letter English words

The positional frequency and versatility of letters were tabulated for six-, seven-, and eight-letter English words.
XMM—Newton observation of the X-ray point source population of the starburst galaxy IC 342

We present the results of an XMM-Newton observation of the starburst galaxy IC 342. Thirty-seven X-ray point sources were detected down to a luminosity limit of ∼10 3 7 erg s - 1 . Most of the sources are located near thespiral arms. The X-ray point source luminosity function is consistent with a power-law shape with a slope of 0.55, typical of starburst galaxies. We also present the energy spectra of several ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs), including the luminous X-ray source in the galactic nucleus. Except for the nucleus and a luminous supersoft X-ray source, other ULXs can generally be fitted with a simple power-law spectral model. The nucleus is very luminous (∼10 4 0 erg s - 1 in 0.2-12 keV) and requires disc blackbody and power-law components to describe the X-ray emission. The spectral fit reveals a cool accretion disc (kT = 0.11 keV) and suggests that the source harbours either an intermediate-mass black hole or a stellar-mass black hole with outflow.
Identification of carbohydrate and nucleic acid biomarkers in the pyrolysis electron ionization-high-resolution mass spectrum of Brucella neotomae

Abstract A detailed pyrolysis electron ionization-high-resolution mass spectrometry (Py-HR-MS) study has been performed on the whole bacterial cells of Brucella neotomae. The purpose of the study was to determine possible pyrolysis mechanisms for the formation of observed biomarker ions when pyrolyzing whole cell microorganisms. Standards representing the sugar and nucleic acid composition of bacteria were also analyzed under identical conditions. High-resolution mass spectral peaks that were present in the whole bacterial cell spectra and in the standards were assigned as having originated from carbohydrate and/or nucleic acid-based molecules. The data collected facilitates the goal of developing rapid chemotaxonomic assays for microorganism identification. The carbohydrate and nucleic acid pathways for several important biomarkers are presented.
Syndecan-4 binding to the high affinity heparin-binding domain of fibronectin drives focal adhesion formation in fibroblasts.

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix involves signaling mechanisms which control attachment, spreading and the formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers. Fibronectin can provide sufficient signals for all three processes, even when protein synthesis is prevented by cycloheximide. Primary fibroblasts attach and spread following integrin ligation, but do not form focal adhesions unless treated with a heparin-binding fragment of fibronectin (HepII), a peptide from this domain, or phorbol esters to activate protein kinase C. Syndecan-4 heparan sulfate proteoglycan is a transmembrane component present together with integrins in focal adhesions. Syndecan-4 binds and activates protein kinase Calpha, whose activity is needed for focal adhesion formation. We now report that the glycosaminoglycan chains of syndecan-4 bind recombinant HepII and it is incorporated into forming focal adhesions.
Gas—solid chromatography of propane on cross-linked polystyrene at 25°C

Abstract Breakthrough curves of propane in a chromatograpic column packed with cross-linke polysterene were measured for different concentrations and flow-rates The adsorption isotherm, as determined from a mass-balance equation, was found to be a Freundlich-type isotherm. A theoretical model for the asymptotic concentration profile is discussed in order to examine the longitudinal diffusion coefficient and the lumped mass-transfer coefficient. Slopes of breakthrough curves at the inflection points were applied to calculate these two parameters for different input concentrations. The imperfection of the model is disclosed in this result because the data deviate from the theoretical prediction at high flow-rates, and the longitudinal diffusion coefficient and the lumped mass-transfer coefficient depend on the input concentration which contradicts the assumption of the model.
Exploring social and psychological factors that influence the gathering of political information online

Qualitative analysis of college students who searched online during the 2008 US presidential election contributes to three research areas: uses and gratifications, media credibility, and selective exposure. The findings identified new social factors that trigger motivations and psychological factors that affect patterns of media use for political information gathering. Word-of-mouth communication from strong, weak, and nonexistent social ties triggered social utility and information seeking motivations. Offline media contributed to online information seeking. Moderate credibility perceptions of media and weak party loyalty limited ideological selective exposure. Results add to research that links social and psychological factors to motivations and media use.
Stimulation of precise excision and recombination by conjugal proficient F'plasmids.

Large F plasmids such as F′128 stimulate precise excision of the transposons Tn5 and Tn10 in E. coli K12. This stimulation occurs when the transposons are either on the F′128 plasmid or the bacterial chromosome. Stimulation of precise excision is dependent upon conjugal transfer proficient F′ plasmids. Tra− mutations which are defective in conjugal transfer negate this F′128 plasmid stimulation effect. F′128 traS mutations, which are surface exclusion defective and thus permit matings between male cells, thereby increasing conjugal transfer, increase the F plasmid stimulation effect. When the F′ plasmid is present in a cell with the small plasmid, pRS31, carrying the traS to traZ region of F, stimulation of precise excision is no longer observed. This complementation-like activity by pRS31 is abolished by a Tn5 insertion in the traS gene. Data are presented supporting the notion that F′ plasmid stimulation of precise excision occurs in the recipient during conjugal transfer. F′128 traS also stimulates recA-dependent recombination between DNA sequences on the small, nontransferrable plasmid pRDK41, DNA sequences that are unrelated to those of the F plasmid. The F′ plasmid stimulation of precise excision of Tn5 is not seen with F+ but only with certain F's with large insertions of chromosomal DNA.
Aristotle, Adam Smith and Karl Marx: On Some Fundamental Issues in 21st Century Political Economy

I enjoyed reading this book for several reasons. Among them was the author's style of writing. Aside from a few equations in the last section, the prose is disarmingly simple, which suggests that t...
Tubal Pregnancy: A Review of Current Diagnosis and Treatment

Ectopic pregnancy accounts for 2 percent of all pregnancies in the United States, and contributes substantially to maternal morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for the development of ectopic pregnancy are described, but less than 50 percent of women with ectopic pregnancy actually give a history of such risk factors. The initial history and physical examination of patients who eventually are found to have ectopic pregnancy can be misleading, resulting in early misdiagnosis. Failure to diagnose ectopic pregnancy before tubal rupture limits treatment options. However, with a high index of suspicion, and a combination of biochemical and ultrasound parameters, early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy can be achieved, permitting medical or conservative surgical treatment options. Future reproductive potential after treatment of ectopic pregnancy is limited, with only approximately one third of affected women ever subsequently delivering a live-born infant. Future fertility is more dependent on the condition of the contralateral fallopian tube than on the specific type of therapy used to treat the affected tube. There is no consensus on which treatment is most effective, minimizing the risk of persistent ectopic pregnancy, while providing the optimum future fertility potential.
Targeting the Bcl-2 Family in Cancer Therapy

The targeting of anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, especially Bcl-2, is the focus of efforts to modulate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and effect tumor death. Current understanding of the role of Bcl-2 family proteins and strategies and recent developments in drug inhibitors of these proteins, particularly antisense oligonucleotides and targeted small molecules, are reviewed.
Updating the specialists: What can industry offer?

The writer was invited to make an industrial contribution to a Conference held in April on the re‐training of lecturers organised by Kent Education Committee for senior staff from technical colleges in the County. This article is a transcript of his talk.
Mechanisms controlling pork quality development: The biochemistry controlling postmortem energy metabolism

Pale, soft and exudative (PSE) pork represents considerable economic losses for the industry due to its limited functionality and undesirable appearance. During the past several decades, exhaustive research covering various aspects of the food chain has established genotyping procedures, recommended handling practices, and quality indicators in order to reduce the incidence of inferior pork quality. Despite these efforts, there is still a relatively high occurrence of PSE pork. Development of pork quality attributes is largely governed by the rate and extent of postmortem pH decline. The combination of high temperature at low pH or abnormally low ultimate pH causes denaturation of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins, resulting in paler color and reduced water holding capacity. The pH decline is closely related to muscle energy availability and demand at or around slaughter. The postmortem degradation of glycogen through glycogenolysis and glycolysis provides ATP to help meet energy demand and decreases pH by generating lactate and H+. Therefore, the flux of metabolites through glycolysis, the involvement of energy signaling pathways that modulate glycolytic activity, and the inherent metabolism of different fiber types are critical factors influencing pH decline and pork quality. Further, recent work implicates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a major energy sensor for the cell, and thus may be involved in the control of postmortem metabolism. The intent of this paper is to review the biochemistry controlling postmortem energy metabolism in pig muscle and explore new information generated using genetic mutations in order to define the fundamental mechanisms controlling the transformation of muscle to meat.
Endogenous phosphorylation in vitro: differential effects of brain state (anesthesia, post-mortem) on electrophoretically separated brain proteins.

In vitro phosphorylation of rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes was measured in animals that had been acutely treated with sodium pentobarbital. [32P]Labelled phosphoproteins were separated by SDS-slab gel electrophoresis, and the autoradiographs were analyzed by densitometry. We report here that Band F of our previous reports can be separated into two components, F1 and F2, using an improved gel system. This separation is particularly relevant in this report since these components appear to be differentially sensitive to the manipulations used. Specifically, we found that while F1 phosphorylation was markedly diminished by deep barbiturate anesthesia, F2 was relatively stable. While phosphorylation of F2 was also stable 24 h post-mortem, Band F1 phosphorylation was no longer detectable. Finally, while osmotic shock treatment of synaptosomes reduced phosphorylation of F2 somewhat, it eliminated the in vitro phosphorylation of Band F1. We found that under light barbiturate anesthesia, just at the time when the animals lost the righting reflex, the in vitro phosphorylation of Bands D (MR 78,000–80,000 daltons), F1 (MR 47,000–49,000) and F2 (MR 40,000–45,000) increased relative to unanesthetized controls. The in vitro labelling of Bands D and F1 was depressed in tissue prepared from animals that were deeply comatose. These effects of pentobarbital were more pronounced when animals were sacrificed by liquid nitrogen immersion, rather than by decapitation. Cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of Band D exhibited remarkable stability 24 h post-mortem (7 days in one case), even when brain tissue was left at room temperature (21–23 °C). Phosphorylation of Band F1, however, was not detectable in post-mortem tissue. The results of these studies indicate that phosphorylation of Band F1 is: (1) sensitive to pentobarbital, and (2) unstable post-mortem. Previous findings from our laboratory suggest that Bad F1 is: (3) increased in phosphorylation in liquid nitrogen P2 preparations, and may be (4) cAMP-independent, (5) rapidly turning over its phosphate in vivo, and (6) altered by a training experience. Other evidence suggests that: (7) Band F1 phosphorylation may be Ca2+-dependent and that: (8) its phosphorylation is sensitive to osmotic lysis of synaptosomes. These results suggest an important and perhaps unique role for Band F1 in neuronal function.
Stability design considerations for mirror support systems in ICF lasers

Some of the major components of laser systems used for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) are the large aperture mirrors which direct the path of the laser. These mirrors are typically supported by systems which consist of mirror mounts, mirror enclosures, superstructures, and foundations. Stability design considerations for the support systems of large aperture mirrors have been developed based on the experience of designing and evaluating similar systems at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Examples of the systems developed at LLNL include Nova, the Petawatt laser, Beamlet, and the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The structural design of support systems of large aperture mirrors has typically been controlled by stability considerations in order for the large laser system to meet its performance requirements for alignment and positioning. This paper will discuss the influence of stability considerations and will provide guidance on the structural design and evaluation of mirror support systems in ICF lasers so that this information can be used on similar systems.
Induction of Parturition in Sheep by Low Dose Intrafetal Infusion of Synthetic Adrenocorticotropin-(1–24) at 120– 130 Days Gestation

ACTH infusions into fetal sheep have been extensively used as a method of inducing premature parturition and the investigation of the associated endocrine and maturational changes in the fetus and ewe. Synthetic ACTH [ACTH-(1–24)] has been generally used in doses of 4–10 μg/h to induce parturition. These dose rates greatly exceed calculated endogenous fetal blood production rates for ACTH. The present study was designed to investigate the endocrine changes occurring in fetal and maternal ovine plasma during the induction of premature delivery with continuous infusion of a more physiological dose [1 μg ACTH-(1–24)/h]. The effect of ACTH-(1–24) infusions to the fetus at 120 or 130 days gestation were compared with appropriate gestational age controls. During ACTH-(1–24) infusion, the fetal plasma cortisol concentration in both age groups rose at similar rates. Furthermore, levels at delivery were equal to those observed in normal term fetuses. Where possible, three-parameter exponential curves were fitted t...
Calcium-induced calcium release in smooth muscle: the case for loose coupling.

Abstract This article reviews the key experiments demonstrating calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) in smooth muscle and contrasts the biophysical and molecular features of coupling between the sarcolemmal (L-type Ca 2+ channel) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (ryanodine receptor) Ca 2+ channels in smooth and cardiac muscle. Loose coupling refers to the coupling process in smooth muscle in which gating of ryanodine receptors is non-obligate and may occur with a variable delay following opening of the sarcolemmal Ca 2+ channels. These features have been observed in the earliest studies of CICR in smooth muscle and are in marked contrast to cardiac CICR, where a close coupling between T-tubular and SR membranes results in tight coupling between the gating events. The relationship between this “loose coupling” and distinct subcellular release sites within smooth muscle cells, termed frequent discharge sites, is discussed.
Photoinduced Stepwise Oxidative Activation of a Chromophore–Catalyst Assembly on TiO2

To probe light-induced redox equivalent separation and accumulation, we prepared ruthenium polypyridyl molecular assembly [(dcb)2Ru(bpy-Mebim2py)Ru(bpy)(OH2)]4+ (RuaII–RubII–OH2) with Rua as light-...
Identification of an IFN-γ responsive region in an intron of the invariant chain gene

The mechanism by which IFN-gamma up-regulates invariant chain mRNA in antigen-presenting cells has been under intensive investigation. This study shows that in murine monocytic cells the transcriptional up-regulation mediated by the invariant chain (Ii) upstream enhancer only accounts for part of the induction of Ii mRNA by IFN-gamma. We have identified an intronic region in the murine Ii gene that contributes to the transcriptional up-regulation by IFN-gamma. The region has S (H), X/X2 and Y boxes similar to those in MHC class II promoters and the Ii upstream enhancer. Mutations at the putative S, X and Y boxes have abolished the ability of the region to mediate Ii up-regulation by IFN-gamma. Consistent with the functions of these boxes, our findings reveal that the up-regulation of Ii transcription by IFN-gamma mediated by the intronic region is dependent on the induction of class II transactivator by IFN-gamma.
Tolerance to herbivory by a stemboring caterpillar in architecturally distinct maizes and wild relatives.

In a screenhouse experiment in southwest Mexico, we infested two maize cultivars, a land-race and a modern high-yielding variety, and two wild teosintes, Zea diploperennis and Zea mays parviglumis, with newly hatched larvae of the stemborer, Diatraea grandiosella. While subsequent damage levels, when corrected for differences in plant size, were highest in the wild perennial, Zea diploperennis, this taxon showed the lowest absolute and proportional reductions in growth and reproduction, i.e., it was most tolerant to the damage. Higher growth rates were not associated with tolerance. Rather, a greater number of tillers and leaves in the wild taxa allowed for compartmentalization of damage and greater developmental plasticity. These results, when combined with previous findings on effective defense patterns, indicate that tolerance in maizes and wild relatives may be positively associated with defense against stemboring by the same insect. Because the probable mechanisms for defense (tissue fiber) and tolerance (plant architecture) are unrelated, a positive association is contrary to the predictions of some optimal defense theories, which posit a negative relationship between tolerance and defense.
Medical scholarships and the social determinants of health.

Nir Eyal and Till B¨rnighausen (2012) argue that conditional medical scholarships are ethically justified, because they can increase physician density without undue restrictions on individual auton...
Relative contribution of preload and afterload to the reduction in cardiac output caused by nitric oxide synthase inhibition with L-N(G)-methylarginine hydrochloride 546C88.

OBJECTIVE: The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-N(G)-methylarginine hydrochloride (L-NMMA HC1 546C88) causes reductions in cardiac output (CO), a potential limitation to clinical application. This drop in CO exceeds that from phenylephrine at matched systemic arterial pressure. We tested the hypothesis that the greater fall in CO attributable to L-NMMA primarily reflects a difference in venoconstriction between agents, such that phenylephrine produces larger increases in preload (an independent determinant of CO). DESIGN: Random infusion of phenylephrine or L-NMMA. SETTING: An animal research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Eight healthy, conscious, male dogs. INTERVENTIONS: L-N(G)-methylarginine hydrochloride (20 mg/kg for 1 hr) and phenylephrine (0.5 to 3 microg/kg/min) were administered into eight dogs chronically instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure and dimension. Data were measured at a constant heart rate (140 beats/min) to render CO proportional to stroke dimension. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At a matched increase in afterload (effective arterial elastance), L-NMMA increased preload (end-diastolic dimension) to a lesser degree (3.8%+/-1.5%, p < .05) than phenylephrine (9.6%+/-1.6%, p < .05 vs. L-NMMA). Neither L-NMMA nor phenylephrine affected the slope of the end-systolic pressure dimension relationship, although L-NMMA shifted the relationship rightward (1.7+/-0.7 mm, p < .05), consistent with a mild negative inotropic effect. L-NMMA decreased the stroke dimension to a greater extent than phenylephrine (-24.1%+/-6.8% and -10.6%+/-3.4%, respectively, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Differential CO responses to phenylephrine and L-NMMA were primarily attributable to changes in preload. Variable venular vs. arteriolar constrictor effects must be considered when evaluating the integrated cardiovascular response to a vasoactive agent. (Less)
Alkaloids of argemone subintegrifolia and A. munita

Abstract Argemone subintegrifolia G. B. Ownb. (Papaveraceae) was found to contain 0.14% total alkaloids consisting of 70 % allocryptopine, 20 % protopine,
COMPARISON OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF BOLUS V. INCREMENTAL ADMINISTRATION OF THIOPENTONE

SUMMARY Twenty unpremedicated patients (ASA grade I) were assigned randomly to receive thiopentone in 50-mg increments every 15 s until loss of lash reflex (group I) or as a 4-mg kg−1 bolus (group II). Arterial pressure, heart rate, systolic time intervals and end-tidal carbon dioxide were measured in the control state and then every 30 s. The mean dose of thiopentone in group I was 5.58±1.24 (SD) mg kg−1 which was significantly larger than in group II (P
Design of a Novel Peptide Inhibitor of HIV Fusion That Disrupts the Internal Trimeric Coiled-coil of gp41

Abstract The pre-hairpin intermediate of gp41 from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the target for two classes of fusion inhibitors that bind to the C-terminal region or the trimeric coiled-coil of N-terminal helices, thereby preventing formation of the fusogenic trimer of hairpins. Using rational design, two 36-residue peptides, N36Mut(e,g) and N36Mut(a,d), were derived from the parent N36 peptide comprising the N-terminal helix of the gp41 ectodomain (residues 546–581 of HIV-1 envelope), characterized by analytical ultracentrifugation and CD, and assessed for their ability to inhibit HIV fusion using a quantitative vaccinia virus-based fusion assay. N36Mut(e,g) contains nine amino acid substitutions designed to disrupt interactions with the C-terminal region of gp41 while preserving contacts governing the formation of the trimeric coiled-coil. N36Mut(a,d) contains nine substitutions designed to block formation of the trimeric coiled-coil but retains residues that interact with the C-terminal region of gp41. N36Mut(a,d) is monomeric, is largely random coil, does not interact with the C34 peptide derived from the C-terminal region of gp41 (residues 628–661), and does not inhibit fusion. The trimeric coiled-coil structure is therefore a prerequisite for interaction with the C-terminal region of gp41. N36Mut(e,g) forms a monodisperse, helical trimer in solution, does not interact with C34, and yet inhibits fusion about 50-fold more effectively than the parent N36 peptide (IC50∼ 308 nm versus ∼16 μm). These results indicate that N36Mut(e,g) acts by disrupting the homotrimeric coiled-coil of N-terminal helices in the pre-hairpin intermediate to form heterotrimers. Thus N36Mut(e,g)represents a novel third class of gp41-targeted HIV fusion inhibitor. A quantitative model describing the interaction of N36Mut(e,g) with the pre-hairpin intermediate is presented.
Worldwide pattern of multilocus structure in barley determined by discrete log-linear multivariate analyses

Data from the electrophoretic assay for seven enzyme loci of 1,032 accessions of cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare L., from the USDA world barley collection were analyzed for multilocus structure using discrete log-linear multivariate techniques. Three major steps were involved in the analysis: (i) identification and elimination of terms that have inconsequential effects in multilocus association; (ii) construction of a log-linear model that best describes the complete multilocus structure of the genetic system; and (iii) evaluation of each of the association terms included in the model. The results of analyses of two subsets of loci show that the multilocus genetic system of cultivated barley, including loci located on different chromosomes, is organized into hierarchically structured complexes of loci. Multilocus structure differs in various geographical regions of the world. The structure of barleys from Southwest Asia, the putative center of origin for cultivated barley, is intermediate for both subsets of loci. Differences increased progressively across the Eurasian-African landmasses in each direction with increasing distance from Southwest Asia, with the consequence that the barleys from West Europe, East Asia, and Ethiopia are maximally different from those of Southwest Asia and Middle South Asia.
Mung bean nuclease cleaves Plasmodium genomic DNA at sites before and after genes

Mung bean nuclease was found to cut the genomic DNA of the malaria parasite Plasmodium at positions before and after genes but not within gene-coding regions. This cleavage, which had nearly the preciseness of a restriction nuclease, required controlled conditions in the presence of formamide. Southern blot analysis showed that the coding areas for Plasmodium actin, circumsporozoite protein, histidine-rich protein, ribosomal RNA's, and tubulin are each cleaved from genomic DNA to yield a single major band on an agarose gel. DNA sequence data on several clones of mung bean nuclease cleavage products containing the gene for the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum confirmed that cleavage sites are before and after genes. Recognition and cleavage of DNA did not seem to be related to any primary sequence but may be related to structural features of the DNA duplex that demarcate genes. Mung bean nuclease-cleaved DNA could be inserted directly into a lambda expression vector, yielding a representative but small gene bank of intact gene fragments.
Visible sympathetic activity as a social signal in Anolis carolinensis: changes in aggression and plasma catecholamines.

Abstract Darkening of postorbital skin in Anolis carolinensis occurs during stressful situations and is stimulated by sympathetic activation of β2-adrenergic receptors via adrenal catecholamines. This eyespot forms more rapidly in dominant males during social interaction. Eyespot darkening (green to black) appears to function as a social signal communicating sympathetic activation and limiting aggressive interaction. To assess the value of the eyespot as a social signal, males were painted postorbitally with green, black, or red paint. Each male was exposed to a mirror following acclimation to the cage. The total number of aggressive displays toward the mirror image was greatest when eyespots were masked by green paint. In contrast, black or red artificial eyespots, regardless of size, inhibited biting behavior toward the mirror image. The most aggressive males, those who saw a reflected opponent with no eyespot (hidden with green paint), had significantly higher levels of all plasma catecholamines. These results suggest that A. carolinensis use information from the eyespot to assess their opponent's readiness to fight and thereby determine whether to be aggressive. Darkened eyespots are capable of inhibiting aggression, whereas aggressive displays from an opponent in the mirror without darkened eyespots do not. Darkened eyespots reflect rapid changes in plasma NE, DA, and Epi that may signal dominant social status.
Quantum transport theory of n-type semiconductors (GaAs)

Abstract The Kohn and Luttinger transport equations for ionized impurity scattering are simplified. Apparent difficulties are removed and a simple closed formula for the mobility is derived which contains corrections to the semi-classical Brooks-Herring result including scattering from pairs of impurities, higher Born corrections for single scattering and dressing effects of the impurities on the electron wave functions and energy levels. Numerical applications are made to uncompensated n-type GaAs.
Genetically Altering the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Has Profound Effects on Virus Replication in Cell Culture

ABSTRACT Capsid (core) assembly is essential for hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. We hypothesize that assembly kinetics and stability are tuned for optimal viral replication, not maximal assembly. Assembly effectors (AEfs) are small molecules proposed to disrupt this balance by inappropriately enhancing core assembly. Guided by the structure of an AEf-bound core, we designed a structural mimic of AEf-bound core protein, the V124W mutant. In biochemical studies, the V124W mutant recapitulated the effects of AEfs, with fast assembly kinetics and a strong protein-protein association energy. Also, the mutant was resistant to exogenous AEfs. In cell culture, the V124W mutant behaved like a potent AEf: expression of HBV carrying the V124W mutant was defective for genome replication. Critically, the V124W mutant interfered with replication of wild-type HBV in a dose-dependent manner, mimicking AEf activity. In addition, the V124W mutant was shown to adopt a more compact conformation than that of the wild type, confirming the allosteric regulation in capsid assembly. These studies show that the heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) binding pocket is a promiscuous target for inducing assembly. Suppression of viral replication by the V124W mutant suggests that mutations that fill the HAP site are not a path for HBV to escape from AEfs.
Asymptotic Outage Analysis of Large Size Correlated MIMO Systems

Current multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) capacity analysis focuses on the optimization of ergodic capacity, i.e., mean of capacity, if the capacity in random channels is considered as a random variable. In addition to ergodic capacity, outage probability is another important criteria of MIMO systems, as already stated by many researchers. However, it is not easy to optimize outage probability, because it is in fact a function of outage capacity. Different from previous outage analysis, in this work we are particularly interested in the relationship between outage probability and outage capacity, when outage capacity is asymptotically low, which is called asymptotic outage. Analogous to deep fading, the proposed asymptotic outage is the major exponent of error event. Moreover, it is convenient to optimize the proposed asymptotic outage, in contrast to conventional outage analysis. Detailed study is conducted in large size (number of antenna elements goes to infinity) MIMO systems, accompanied with a recently proposed correlated MIMO channel model, virtual channel representation. It is interesting to find that logarithm of asymptotic outage probability scales linearly with respect to logarithm of asymptotic outage capacity. Even more importantly, it is found that asymptotic outage performance degrades (higher outage probability) when channel correlation decreases.