cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the N‐acetylaspartate biosynthetic enzyme from rat brain

Aspartate N-acetyltransferase (Asp-NAT; EC 2.3.1.17) activity was found in highly purified intact mitochondria prepared by Percoll gradient centrifugation as well as in the three subfractions obtained after the sucrose density gradient centrifugation of Percoll purified mitochondria; citrate synthase was used as a marker enzyme for mitochondria. The proportion of recoverable activities of Asp-NAT and citrate synthase were comparable in mitochondrial and synaptosomal fractions but not in the fraction containing myelin. Asp-NAT was solubilized from the pellet of the rat brain homogenate (26 000 g for 1 h) for the recovery of maximum activity and partially purified using three protein separation methods: DEAE anion exchange chromatography, continuous elution native gel electrophoresis and size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography. Asp-NAT activity and the optical density pattern of the eluted protein from size-exclusion column indicated a single large protein (∼670 kDa), which on sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed at least 10 bands indicative of an enzyme complex. This seemingly multi-subunit complex Asp-NAT was stable towards ionic perturbations but vulnerable to hydrophobic perturbation; almost 95% of activity was lost after 10 mm 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonia]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) treatment followed by size-exclusion chromatography. Asp-NAT showed an order of magnitude difference in Km between l-aspartate (l-Asp, ∼0.5 mm) and acetyl CoA (∼0.05 mm). Asp-NAT showed high specificity towards l-Asp with 3% or less activity towards l-Glu, l-Asn, l-Gln and Asp-Glu. A model on the integral involvement of NAA synthesis in the energetics of neuronal mitochondria is proposed.
Capillary flow phenomena and wettability in porous media: II. Dynamic flow studies

Abstract The dynamics of capillary penetration of liquids into packs of monodisperse spherical beads of varying surface energy have been studied. Square-root-of-time dependence has been shown to be obeyed in horizontal one-dimensional flow for all media. The STVF model of Miller and Miller was shown to be valid for similar media of varying particle sizes and for liquids with different physical properties but exhibiting the same contact angle. The rates of horizontal one-dimensional flow of liquids exhibiting finite contact angles with polymethylmethacrylate-coated and siliconized beads, reported as reduced sorptivities and reduced penetrabilities, were found to deviate from values calculated for known contact angles using the cylindrical tube model of Washburn.
A WENO algorithm for radiative transfer with resonant scattering and the Wouthuysen–Field coupling

Abstract We develop a numerical solver for the integral–differential equations, which describe the radiative transfer of photon distribution in the frequency space with resonant scattering of Ly α photons by hydrogen gas in the early universe. The time-dependent solutions of this equation is crucial to the estimation of the effect of the Wouthuysen–Field (WF) coupling in relation to the 21 cm emission and absorption at the epoch of reionization. However, the time-dependent solutions of this equation have not yet been well performed. The resonant scattering leads to the photon distribution in the frequency space to be piecewise smooth containing sharp changes. The weighted essentially nonoscillatory (WENO) scheme is suitable to handle this problem, as this algorithm has been found to be highly stable and robust for solving Boltzmann equation. We test this numerical solver by (1) the analytic solutions of the evolution of the photon distribution in rest background; (2) the analytic solution in expanding background, but without resonant scattering; (3) the formation of local Boltzmann distribution around the resonant frequency with the temperature to be the same as that of atom for recoil. We find that the evolution of the photon distribution due to resonant scattering with and without recoil generally undergoes three phases. First, the profile of the photon distribution is similar to the initial one. Second, an extremely flat plateau (without recoil) or local Boltzmann distribution (with recoil) form around the resonant frequency, and the width and height of the flat plateau or local Boltzmann distribution increase with time. Finally, the distribution around the resonant frequency is saturated when the photons from the source is balanced by the redshift of the expansion. This result indicates that the onset of the W–F coupling should not be determined by the third phase, but by the time scale of the second phase. We found that the time scale of the W–F coupling is equal to about a few hundreds of the mean free flight time of photons with resonant frequency, and it basically is independent of the Sobolev parameter if this parameter is much less than 1.
CO2 Capture and Sequestration

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is the long-term isolation of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through physical, chemical, biological, or engineered processes. The primary purpose is to reduce the impacts of human-induced climate change associated with increased greenhouse gas concentrations from emissions and land use. CCS can be a major partial solution to climate change, accounting for between 15% and 25% of the needed abatement, and should be considered as part of a portfolio of solutions which include efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, nuclear power, and other options.
Issues of Corrective Feedback in Second Language Acquisition

For decades now, questions about the role of corrective feedback in second language acquisition (SLA) have been hotly debated, spawning a great deal of theoretical and empirical research. Although the facilitative role of corrective feedback in SLA has received some empirical support, the claims regarding its impact on SLA have yet to be fully or decisively substantiated. In order to move this line of research forward, it is important to examine the issues arising in the SLA literature. To this end, this paper aims to review and discuss the literature throwing light on three major issues: (1) learners’ noticing of feedback, (2) potential mismatches between teachers’ intentions and learners’ interpretations, and (3) the role of different types of implicit corrective feedback.
On Becoming an American Indian Law Professor

There are only a few dozen American Indians who are enrolled tribal members who are tenure system law professors in American law schools. In fact, in our quick review of the American Association of Law Schools roster of teachers who list themselves as Native American Law instructors, we found fewer than 30 tribal members who are currently tenure system law professors. We study this group, as well as a few known tribal members who have either retired or left the academy for loftier pursuits, for purposes of identifying the profiles of tribally enrolled American Indians on the tenure track in American law schools. The object of this short paper is to advise American Indian law students and others on how to become an American Indian law professor.
Discrimination, Economics of

In the abstract, ‘discrimination’ refers to distinctions or differentiation made among objects or individuals. In economics, as in ordinary parlance, discrimination typically carries a pejorative connotation. The term is generally reserved for distinctions that are socially unacceptable and economically inefficient. Economic theories of discrimination can be categorized into theories about tastes and preferences of economic agents, economic power, and statistical discrimination. Achieving a consensus on what the broad features of discrimination in markets, especially labor markets, should entail is a seemingly straightforward task compared with obtaining a consensus on empirical measures of discrimination. The standard measurement technique is that of wage decompositions. With the advent of newer and more sophisticated econometric methods for estimating earning relationships, measurement of discrimination has become more ambiguous. Legal and employee morale considerations constrain attempts to remove discrimination in the workplace in a way that would correspond to accepted economic principles of efficiency. Comparable worth seeks to remedy discrimination by relying upon experts to value job attributes in an unbiased manner. Empirical studies of labor-market discrimination are global in nature and encompass both developed countries and developing countries.
A Hidden Markov Model based approach to estimation of allelic imbalances in tumor cells

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 4410 Researchers have validated correlations between carcinogenesis and genetic alterations in tumor cells. These alterations involve allelic imbalances, manifested in the form of chromosomal copy number(CN) changes - amplifications, deletions, aneuploidy, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), micro-satellite instability among others. These events often indicate the activation of oncogenes and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (anti-oncogenes). Identification of the loci implicated in these aberrations can generate anchor points which facilitate oncogenomics research. Interpretation of these aberrations, however, is complicated by the following, among others: (a) variations in the form of copy number polymorphisms (CNP) can also occur in normal individuals; (b)CN aberrations might not be accompanied by LOH and vice-versa; (c) preferential aberrations in one allele over the other. Motivated by the above rationale, we have developed a Hidden Markov Model based framework to quantify, total copy number (TCN), allele-specific copy-number (ASCN) changes and LOH. The Affymetrix, Genechip Human Mapping 500K array platform which provides consistently high coverage for Nsp and Sty restriction enzymes, with a median inter-SNP distance of 2.5kbases has been used for this analysis . The framework exists to perform a matched tumor-normal tissue versus un-matched tissue analysis - this allows the de-convolution of copynumber polymorphic events from those of tumor related events. We have performed CN and LOH analyses comparing samples of primary ductal carcinoma with and without metastasis of lymph nodes and this data will be presented. This analysis where the normal and tumor samples are derived from the same patient is contrasted with pools of phenotypically normal controls derived from ethnicity matched as well as unmatched HapMap samples. The purpose behind this analytical strategy is threefold. 1) It allows the identification of sample specific CNPs. 2) It establishes the sensitivity and specificity of the outcome for cases where matched normal tissue might not be available. This analysis design also enables the determination of ethnicity biases introduced via the reference distribution. 3) It aggregates the preferential amplification/deletion of one allele over another as a way to specifically catalog and correlate the allelic imbalances with TCN and LOH estimates in matched tumor-normal samples. Validation of the underlying algorithms, using a titration matrix of 1-5 copies of chromosome X results in a R2~0.951; for deletions, median sensitivity is 0.997at 1% FPR. Correlations with aCGH(SMRT) based detection of CN in the EFGR pathway(SK-BR-3 cell line) results in a R2~ 0.88.
Effect of magnetic fields on the specific heat of a YBa2Cu3O7- delta single crystal near Tc.

In a $c$-axis magnetic field, the specific-heat peak of a single crystal of $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ broadens and decreases in amplitude with little shift in position. The difference between the zero-field specific heat and that measured in a field is found to satisfy a scaling relation which suggests critical, as opposed to Gaussian, fluctuations. This is interpreted in terms of the broadening of the critical regime by the magnetic field, and suggests either renormalization of the critical exponents by disorder or an order parameter with more than two components.
Reconstruction of the pharyngeal corpus of Aphelenchus avenae (Nematoda: Tylenchomorpha), with implications for phylogenetic congruence

The corpus of the pharynx in the nematode Aphelenchus avenae (Nematoda: Tylenchomorpha) was three-dimensionally reconstructed to address questions of phylogenetic significance. Reconstructed models are based on serial thin sections imaged by transmission electron microscopy. The corpus comprises six classes of radial cells, two classes of marginal cells, and 13 neurones belonging to eight classes. Between the arcade syncytia and isthmus cells, numbers of cell classes along the pharyngeal lumen and numbers of nuclei per cell class correspond exactly between A. avenae and Caenorhabditis elegans. The number of radial cell classes between the arcade syncytia and the dorsal gland orifice (DGO) in A. avenae is also identical with outgroups. Proposed homologies of the pharynx imply that expression of the anterior two cell classes as epithelial or muscular differs within both Rhabditida and Tylenchomorpha. Numbers of neurone cell bodies within the corpus correspond exactly to C. elegans, other free-living outgroups, and other Tylenchomorpha. Neurone polarity and morphology support conserved relative positions of cell bodies of putative neurone homologues. The configuration of cells in the procorpus, including the length of individual cell classes along its lumen, differs across representatives of three deep Tylenchomorpha lineages. Nonhomology of the procorpus challenges the homology of DGO position within the metacorpus, the primary taxonomic character for circumscribing ‘Aphelenchoidea’. Comparison of A. avenae with Aphelenchoides blastophthorus shows that, despite gross pharynx similarity, these nematodes have several differences in corpus construction at a cellular level. The possibility of convergent evolution of an ‘aphelenchid’ pharynx in two separate lineages would be congruent with molecular-based phylogeny. Putative homologies and conserved arrangement of pharyngeal neurones in Tylenchomorpha expand the experimental model of C. elegans. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010.
Real-time visualization of concurrent processes

Parallel programs usually have complex execution behavior which can be studied by visualizing their execution. The run-time visualization captures the dynamic behavior of the program which is otherwise hidden by postmortem visualization. The visualization effort for hierarchical systems such as Cedar requires parallelism to be detected at cluster and processor level simultaneously. We examine the real-time visualization methodology for shared memory multiprocessors. Two applications, visualizing the concurrent processes and matrix-related computations, are used to highlight the importance of visualization in understanding parallel program execution on shared memory multiprocessors.
A wireless stethoscope

This paper presents a wearable digital stethoscope with wireless communication capability. The wireless stethoscope can be used for patient monitoring without limiting mobility. Digitized heart sounds were recorded and compared to those recorded by a wired stethoscope. Recordings were compared in the time domain by mean squared errors, in the frequency domain by spectral distribution, and in the time-frequency domain using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT). Digital filtering, re-sampling, amplitude scaling methods and signal energy density analysis were used. The results demonstrate wireless system performance similar to the wired system.
A note on a paper of Sperb

Two lower bounds of Sperb for the first eigenvalue of an elastically attached membrane are proved in an elementary way.
Red nucleus degeneration in hypertrophic olivary degeneration after pediatric posterior fossa tumor resection: use of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI)

We report the use of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in detection of red nucleus (rubral) degeneration and atrophy in children with hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) after posterior fossa tumor resection. The use of this modality for this particular application has not been previously described. Detection of red nucleus changes seems to be facilitated by the contrast mechanism of SWI over conventional MRI sequences. SWI can be considered in the evaluation of these patients and in the future might provide a means for further classification of patients with HOD and related symptomatology.
Competitive Adsorption of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate on Two Polymer Surfaces within Latex Blends

Experiments were performed to determine how the partitioning of surfactant between two different polymer surfaces in a latex is dependent on the nature of the polymers and their relative surface areas. Titrations of individual latices and latex blends with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were carried out while continuously measuring the conductivity of the latex. Polymers studied were polystyrene, poly(n-butyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(methyl acrylate) and the individual adsorption areas for SDS on these surfaces at saturation, As, were found to be 44.0, 58.6, 96.0, and 163.3 A2/molecule, respectively. For blends of these latices, the average adsorption area at saturation was found to be a linear function of the individual polymer surface area fractions in the blend. It was also possible to predict the behavior of a titration of a latex blend based on the individual titrations for the pure latex. These results confirm the hypothesis that SDS adsorption on multiple polymer surfaces at...
Space-charge effects in a CRT with post-deflection acceleration

The theory which gives the space-charge contribution to the trace width in a cathode ray tube (CRT) is extended to mesh-expansion postdeflection acceleration (PDA) tubes. This is done in an approximation that neglects the space-charge repulsion in the final beam acceleration region of the CRT. Comparison with experimental results indicates that the approximation is valid. The problem leads to nonelementary functions that must be solved numerically. A graph giving the space-charge contribution to trace width is provided for a range of basic tube parameters. The results are also interesting for qualitative understanding of the role that space charge plays in PDA tubes.
L1210(A) mouse lymphoma cells depleted of glutathione with L-buthionine-S-R-sulfoximine proliferate in tissue culture.

Abstract L1210(A) mouse lymphoma cells have been adapted to long-term tissue culture in the presence of L-buthionine-S-R-sulfoximine in concentrations of 1–10 mM. As a result of the inhibitory action of this compound on the synthesis of γ-glutamylcysteine, the dipeptide precursor of glutathione, the cells are depleted of more than 90% of their normal cellular glutathione content. The residual 10% seems to resist depletion at high concentrations of buthionine sulfoximine. Glutathione depleted cells proliferate at a rate similar to that of non-depleted cells, and show full viability. Upon transfer of cells into inhibitor-free medium, they fully regain their original glutathione content. It is concluded that these cells contain at least two pools of glutathione: a large cytoplasmic pool and a smaller, possibly mitochondrial, pool. It is further concluded that the large pool of cytoplasmic glutathione is not obligatory for cell growth and mitosis.
A variable resolution x-ray detector for computed tomography: I. Theoretical basis and experimental verification

A computed tomographyimaging technique called variable resolution x-ray (VRX) detection provides detector resolution ranging from that of clinical body scanning to that of microscopy (1 cy/mm to 100 cy/mm). The VRX detection technique is based on a new principle denoted as “projective compression” that allows the detector resolution element to scale proportionally to the imagefield size. Two classes of VRX detector geometry are considered. Theoretical aspects related to x-ray physics and data sampling are presented. Measured resolution parameters (line-spread function and modulation-transfer function) are presented and discussed. A VRX image that resolves a pair of 50μ tungsten hairs spaced 30μ apart is shown.
A Composite Likelihood Approach in Fitting Spatial Point Process Models

We propose a new likelihood-based approach in fitting spatial point process models. A composite likelihood is first formed by adding some pairwise composite likelihood functions that are defined in terms of the second-order intensity function of the underlying process, and then used for estimating the unknown parameters. The estimation procedure is computationally simple and yields consistent and asymptotically normal estimators under some mild conditions. We demonstrate through a simulation study and applications to two real data examples that the proposed approach may lead to improved estimations compared with the commonly used “minimum contrast estimation” approach.
Ten-Year Experience With Transvaginal Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair Using Tissue Interposition

ABSTRACTPurpose: The success rate of vesicovaginal fistula repair is improved by tissue interposition. The Martius flap produces reliable results but it has increased morbidity. A peritoneal flap is easily created with minimal morbidity and it can be used for proximal fistulas. We describe our 10-year experience with tissue interposition for transvaginal repair of vesicovaginal fistulas.Materials and Methods: From January 1991 to July 2001, 207 cases of vesicovaginal fistulas were repaired transvaginally. Tissue interposition was used for complex (greater than 2 cm. and/or radiation induced) fistulas and/or failed previous repairs. A peritoneal flap was used for proximal fistulas and a Martius flap was used for distal fistulas. A full-thickness labial flap was reserved for cases of insufficient vaginal epithelium.Results: A total of 207 patients underwent transvaginal repair of a vesicovaginal fistula. Etiology of the fistula was hysterectomy in 91% of cases (abdominal in 83% and vaginal in 8%), radiation...
The carbonate system geochemistry of shallow groundwater–surface water systems in temperate glaciated watersheds (Michigan, USA): Significance of open-system dolomite weathering

We present here a field geochemical study of controls on carbonate weathering within rapidly circulating, shallow groundwater–surface water systems in the glaciated mid-continent region. Groundwaters and surface waters in three watersheds spanning the Upper to Lower Peninsulas of Michigan consist of Ca 2+ -Mg 2+ -HCO 3 − solutions derived from the open-system dissolution of calcite and dolomite in soils developed on mixed mineralogy glacial drift. The thermodynamic stabilities of calcite and dolomite both decrease with decreasing temperature, with dolomite more strongly affected. Thus, the low mean annual temperature of these temperate weathering environments maximizes the absolute solubility of dolomite as well as its solubility relative to calcite. Many groundwaters in the study area approach equilibrium with respect to the more soluble dolomite and are moderately supersaturated with respect to calcite. Groundwaters in each watershed have distinct and relatively narrow ranges of carbon dioxide partial pressure ( P CO 2 ) values, which increase significantly from north to south (log P CO 2 of −3.0 to −2.2 atm), suggesting that there are landscape-level differences in carbon transformation rates in soil weathering zones. Increases in weathering-zone P CO 2 values produce HCO 3 − concentrations that vary by a factor of five, but the Mg 2+ /Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ /HCO 3 − ratios of all groundwaters are similar, suggesting relatively constant weathering input ratios of calcite and dolomite. Although surface waters commonly are between 2 and 10 times supersaturated with respect to calcite, the Mg 2+ /HCO 3 − ratios of surface waters are very close to initial groundwater values, suggesting that back precipitation of calcite is not a significant process in these systems. The enhanced solubility of dolomite at low temperatures coupled with the landscape-level differences in carbon cycling suggest that temperate-zone weathering reactions in glaciated terrains are significant contributors to continent-scale fluxes of both Mg 2+ and HCO 3 − .
Soluzioni periodiche di sistemi Lipschitziani e applicazioni

Si presentano alcuni recenti risultati sul periodo minimo delle soluzioni di sistemi dinamici Lipschitziani e si mostrano alcune loro applicazioni a problemi sulla lunghezza di certe curve chiuse contenute nella sfera unitaria di uno spazio di Hilbert.
Influence of Ca on the superconductivity of Y1−xCaxBa2Cu3O7−δ

Abstract Substitution of Ca for Y does not increase the maximum oxidation state of the (CuO3−δ)(3−x)− layers of Y1−xCaxBa2Cu3O7−δ (0 ≤ x
Development of the vertical dimension: Nature and nuture

Abstract The relevance of analyzing the development of the vertical dimension to clinical practice is first to determine if there is a vertical dimension component to the malocclusion, then ascertain what factors are having the greatest influence on the vertical dimension problem. Unfortunately, studies on the genetic and environmental factors that influence the development of vertical dimension are representative of the samples, not necessarily of any particular individual. In addition, the extent that a particular trait is influenced by genetic factors may have little if any effect on success of environmental (treatment) intervention. Genetic factors that influenced a trait may also influence the response to intervention to alter that trait, or other genetic factors may be involved in the response. Therefore, the possibility for altering the environment to gain a more favorable dimension is theoretically possible, even in individuals with a relatively high genetic influence on the vertical dimension. However, the question of how environmental and genetic factors interact (a question that essentially cannot be answered in estimates of heritability), is most relevant to clinical practice because it may explain why a particular alteration of the environment (treatment) in one compliant patient may be successful and not in another.
Diffusion with Contour Length Fluctuations in Linear Polymer Melts

We have calculated the self-diffusion constant in monodisperse linear polymer melts using a recent analytical theory of stress relaxation that incorporates contour-length fluctuations as well as re...
Active avoidance: escape and dodging behaviors for reactive control

New methods for producing avoidance behavior among moving obstacles within the context of reactive robotic control are described. These specifically include escape and dodging behaviors. Dodging is concerned with the avoidance of a ballistic projectile while escape is more useful within the context of chase. The motivation and formulation of these new reactive behaviors are presented. Simulation results of a robot in a cluttered and moving world are also provided.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
EclampsiaVIII. Risk factors for maternal morbidity

Objective: This study was undertaken to identify risk factors associated with adverse maternal outcome in pregnancies complicated by eclampsia. Study Design: This was a descriptive study of 399 consecutive women with eclampsia whose cases were managed at one perinatal center between August 1977 and July 1998. Data were collected. Risk factors studied included maternal age, race, parity, preexisting medical complications, and clinical and laboratory findings. Outcome variables were maternal morbidities. Data were analyzed by either χ2 analysis or the unpaired Student t test as appropriate. Results: In the entire cohort of women with eclampsia major maternal complications included abruptio placentae (10%), HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome (11%), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (6%), neurologic deficits and aspiration pneumonia (7%), pulmonary edema (5%), cardiopulmonary arrest (4%), acute renal failure (4%), and death (1%, n = 2 patients with antepartum onset). Women with antepartum eclampsia had significantly higher incidences of abruptio placentae (12% vs 6%; P < .05) and HELLP syndrome (14% vs 4%; P = .005) than did those in whom eclampsia developed post partum. In contrast, women with postpartum eclampsia were more likely to have neurologic deficits develop (9% vs 2%; P = .0006) than were those with antepartum eclampsia. In addition, women in whom eclampsia developed at ≤32 weeks’ gestation had significantly higher incidences of abruptio placentae (17% vs 8%; P = .01), HELLP syndrome (20% vs 7%; P = .0005), and acute renal failure (8% vs 2%; P = .01) than did those in whom eclampsia developed later. Conclusion: Eclampsia remains a significant complication of pregnancy that carries high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Antepartum onset carries greater risks, and onset at ≤32 weeks’ gestation is particularly dangerous to both mother and fetus. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:307-12.)
Thermodynamic investigation of trisodium uranium(V) oxide (Na3UO4) III. Enthalpy to 1200 K by drop calorimetry

Abstract The enthalpy (relative to 298.15 K) of Na3UO4 was measured from 500 to 1200 K using a high-precision drop-calorimetric system. The following equation represents the enthalpy of Na3UO4 in the temperature range 298 to 1200 K. All temperatures are based on IPTS-68. Values of Cpo(T), {Ho(T)−Ho(298.15 K)}, So(T), and {G o (T)−H o (298.15 K)} T are tabulated.
Heterogeneity of the Na(+)-H+ antiport systems in renal cells.

Abstract This study analyzes the differential characteristics of the Na + H + antiport systems observed in several epithelial and non-epithelial renal cell lines. Confluent monolayers of LLC-PK 1A cells have a Na + H + antiport system located in the apical membrane of the cell. This system, however, is not expressed during cell proliferation or after incubation in the presence of different mitogenic agents. In contrast, confluent monolayers of MDCK 4 express minimal Na + H + antiport activity in the confluent monolayer state but reach maximal antiport activity during cell proliferation or after activation of the cells by different mitogenic agents. Similar results were obtained with the renal fibroblastic cell line BHK. The system present in MDCK 4 cells is localized in the basolateral membrane of the epithelial cell. In LLC-PK 1A cells, an increase in the extracellular Na + concentration produces a hyperbolic increase in the activity of the Na + H + antiporter. In MDCK 4 and BHK cells, however, an increase in external Na + produces a sigmoid activation of the system. Maximal activation of the system occur at a pH o 7.5 in LLC-PK 1A cells and pH o 7.0 in MDCK 4 cells. The Na + H + antiporter of LLC-PK 1A cells is more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of amiloride ( K i 1.8·10 −7 M) than is the antiporter of MDCK 4 cells ( K i 7.0·10 −6 M). Moreover, 5-( N -methyl- N -isobutyl)amiloride is the most effective inhibitor of Na + H + exchange in LLC-PK 1A cells, but the least effective inhibitor in MDCK 4 cells. Conversely, the analog, 5-( N , N -dimethyl)amiloride, is the most effective inhibitor of Na + H + exchange in MDCK 4 cells, but is the least effective inhibitor in LLC-PK 1A cells. The results support the hypothesis that Na + H + exchange observed in LLC-PK 1A and other cell lines may represent the activity of different Na + H + antiporters.
Infiltration on mountain slopes: a comparison of three environments

Abstract Water is well established as a major driver of the geomorphic change that eventually reduces mountains to lower relief landscapes. Nonetheless, within the altitudinal limits of continuous vegetation in humid climates, water is also an essential factor in slope stability. In this paper, we present results from field experiments to determine infiltration rates at forested sites in the Andes Mountains (Ecuador), the southern Appalachian Mountains (USA), and the Luquillo Mountains (Puerto Rico). Using a portable rainfall simulator–infiltrometer (all three areas), and a single ring infiltrometer (Andes), we determined infiltration rates, even on steep slopes. Based on these results, we examine the spatial variability of infiltration, the relationship of rainfall runoff and infiltration to landscape position, the influence of vegetation on infiltration rates on slopes, and the implications of this research for better understanding erosional processes and landscape change. Infiltration rates ranged from 6 to 206 mm/h on lower slopes of the Andes, 16 to 117 mm/h in the southern Appalachians, and 0 to 106 mm/h in the Luquillo Mountains. These rates exceed those of most natural rain events, confirming that surface runoff is rare in montane forests with deep soil/regolith mantles. On well-drained forested slopes and ridges, apparent steady-state infiltration may be controlled by the near-surface downslope movement of infiltrated water rather than by characteristics of the full vertical soil profile. With only two exceptions, the local variability of infiltration rates at the scale of 10° m overpowered other expected spatial relationships between infiltration, vegetation type, slope position, and soil factors. One exception was the significant difference between infiltration rates on alluvial versus upland soils in the Andean study area. The other exception was the significant difference between infiltration rates in topographic coves compared to other slope positions in the tabonuco forest of one watershed in the Luquillo Mountains. Our research provides additional evidence of the ability of forests and forest soils to preserve geomorphic features from denudation by surface erosion, documents the importance of subsurface flow in mountain forests, and supports the need for caution in extrapolating infiltration rates.
Characteristics and Effects of the Co-parenting Alliance between Incarcerated Parents and Child Caregivers

We examined co-parenting alliance based on information provided by 57 incarcerated parents and their corresponding child caregivers who took part in the Messages Project, in which incarcerated parents video recorded greetings to children that were then mailed home. We assessed perceptions of co-parenting alliance, measured by the Parenting Alliance Measure, and levels of child contact from both parents and caregivers. We also observed expressions of positive and negative attitudes that prisoners expressed regarding the home caregiver during the video recording. Incarcerated parents reported more frequent phone contact with children and more frequent letter-writing to children than did home caregivers. Incarcerated parents likewise reported higher levels of co-parenting alliance with the home caregiver in comparison to the assessment of co-parenting alliance reported by the home caregiver. Among children observing the video recorded message, a more positive co-parenting alliance between their parent and home caregiver was associated with increased positive mood. More frequent displays of negative attitudes toward caregivers during the recordings were associated with more negative mood indicators among children. Results suggest the importance of a strong co-parenting alliance between incarcerated parents and home caregivers, but imply that incarcerated parents may have a more optimistic view of their connection home than is the case for collaborating caregivers.
UAP56 is an important regulator of protein synthesis and growth in cardiomyocytes

UAP56, an ATP dependent RNA helicase that also has ATPase activity, is a DExD/H box protein that is phylogenetically grouped with the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4A, the prototypical member of the DExD/H box family of helicases. UAP56, also known as BAT1, is an essential RNA splicing factor required for spliceosome assembly and mRNA export but its role in protein synthesis is not known. Here we demonstrate that UAP56 regulates protein synthesis and growth in cardiomyocytes. We found that wild-type (WT) UAP56 increased serum induced protein synthesis in HeLa cells. UAP56 mutants lacking ATPase and/or helicase activity inhibited protein synthesis compared with WT UAP56, suggesting that the ATPase and RNA helicase activity of UAP56 is important for protein synthesis. UAP56 siRNA inhibited phenylephrine (PE) induced protein synthesis in cardiomyocytes and inhibited PE induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Our data demonstrate that UAP56 is an important regulator of protein synthesis and plays an important role in the regulation of cardiomyocyte growth.
Adding silver to the rainbow: the development of the nurses' health education about LGBT elders (HEALE) cultural competency curriculum

Aim In 2009, the Howard Brown Health Center received funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services, and Health Resources and Services Administration to develop and disseminate a peer-reviewed, six-module curriculum entitled, Health Education about LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Elders (HEALE). Background The HEALE curriculum targets nurses and health-care staff and is focused on the treatment of LGBT elders, a population that is largely misunderstood and discriminated against in health-care settings. The HEALE curriculum was presented in hospital academic centres, community-based clinics and nursing homes over a three-year period, and training staff provided education to over 500 nurses and health-care providers. Method A pre-test and post-test was administered to participants, and all data were collected and archived to measure knowledge gained. Participants also completed an evaluation at the conclusion of the training to report change in personal attitude and individual response to the curriculum. Results and conclusions From March 2011 to June 2012, 848 individuals attended HEALE curriculum sessions at 23 locations in Chicago and surrounding areas. Participants were 40% white, 25% black, 9% Hispanic/Latino and 25% Asian race/ethnicity. The majority of participants were female and approximately 25% were under the age of 30 years. There were statistically significant gains in knowledge in each of the six modules both in nursing home/home health-care settings and in hospital/educational settings, although participants in nursing home/home health care settings had lower pre-test scores and smaller knowledge gains in each of the six modules than those in hospital/educational settings. Mean increases ranged from 6.4 points (an 8.7% increase) in module 1–14.6 points (a 26.2% increase) in Module 6 (P < 0.01). Implications for nursing management The HEALE curriculum sets a standard for best practices in nursing management and for LGBT cultural competency in geriatric education. As such, implementation of this cultural competency training will go a long way to establish fundamental concepts regarding LGBT elder care and provide long-term strategies for providing culturally sensitive patient care.
A distribute parallel approach for big data scale optimal power flow with security constraints

This paper presents a mathematical optimization framework for security-constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) computations. The SCOPF problem determines the optimal control of power systems under constraints arising from a set of postulated contingencies. This problem is challenging due to the significantly large problem size, the stringent real-time requirement and the variety of numerous post-contingency states. In order to solve the resultant big data scale optimization problem with manageable complexity, the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is utilized. The SCOPF is decomposed into independent subproblems correspond to each individual pre-contingency and post-contingency case. Those subproblems are solved in parallel on distributed nodes and coordinated through dual (prices) variables. As a result, the algorithm is implemented in a distributive and parallel fashion. Numerical tests validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Patterns and trajectories in Williams Syndrome: the case of visual orientation discrimination.

Abstract Williams Syndrome (WS) is a developmental disorder typified by deficits in visuospatial cognition. To understand the nature of this deficit, we characterized how people with WS perceive visual orientation, a fundamental ability related to object identification. We compared WS participants to typically developing children (3–6 years of age) and typical adults in an orientation discrimination task with four stimulus types (small circular, large circular, collinear elongated and parallel elongated gratings). We measured orientation discrimination thresholds and the proportion of orthogonal errors (i.e., mirror-image reversal errors). We evaluated how these metrics (1) are modulated by stimulus condition, and (2) vary with chronological or mental age. We found that orientation perception in WS is comparable to that of typically developing children. Orientation discrimination thresholds were better for elongated gratings than circular gratings across all participant groups. For large circular gratings, the proportion of orthogonal errors was disproportionately greater in WS participants and typically developing 3–6 year old children than in typical adults. Moreover, we found that the ability to judge orientation in WS improves with increasing mental age, but not chronological age. These results suggest that orientation discrimination in WS is developmentally arrested, as opposed to abnormal or delayed.
Microprogramming of signal processors

This paper is concerned with the hardware and architecture of microprogrammed equipment intended primarily for real time signal processing applications. Principles and structural types are discussed rather than a specific structure. There are numerous advantages to microprogrammed as contrasted to hardwired signal processing equipment. People in different positions view microprogramming as having different advantages. This paper presents some of these advantages together with hardware structure, microinstruction format, diagnostic techniques for both hardware and software, and various methods of control of a microprogrammed processor.
Diagnostic efficacy of posttraumatic symptoms in children exposed to disaster

Examined 5 conditional probability indices to determine the diagnostic ,efficacy of 48 symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 5,687 children exposed to Hurricane Hugo, of whom 5.5% had a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSS). Moderate levels of sensitivity and high levels of specificity were obtained for most symptoms. Odds ratios more precisely demonstrated that some Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) symptoms of PTSD, especially when combined, were useful for identifying children with PTSS but that anxiety symptoms and some DSM symptoms of PTSD had poor diagnostic utility. Satisfying criteria for the DSY-III-R numbing/avoidance cluster and symptoms from the numbing/avoidance cluster had the highest diagnostic efficacy, suggesting that avoidance may be the hallmark of severe posttraumatic reactions. These results suggest which symptoms should be conceptualized as central versus peripheral to the disorder and which symptoms and symptom combina...
A method for measuring foot pressures using a high resolution, computerized insole sensor: the effect of heel wedges on plantar pressure distribution and center of force

A new, high resolution, pressure-sensitive insole was tested and found to provide reproducible measurements of static and dynamic plantar pressures inside the shoe of normal test subjects under certain conditions. However, calibration between separate sensors was poor and the sensor pads showed significant wear with use. This system was also used to investigate the effect of heel wedges on plantar foot pressure to determine whether this system was sensitive enough to detect the effect of a gross shoe modification on plantar foot pressure. Medial heel wedges decreased plantar pressures under the first and second metatarsals as well as under the first toe, and shifted the center of force laterally in all portions of the foot. Lateral heel wedges decreased pressures under the third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals, increased pressures under the first and second metatarsals, and shifted the center of force medially in all portions of the foot. Our evaluations indicate that it is possible to measure static and dynamic plantar foot pressures within shoes and to study the possible effect of shoe modifications on plantar pressures in controlled gait trials.
Female Candidates, Sociopolitical Subculture, and State Attorney General Elections

ABSTRACTRelatively few women have served as state attorney general; even fewer have been elected. Those women who won election to this important office did so in spite of its masculine stereotypical image. Here, women's participation and success in attorney general elections is examined in terms of state political culture, specifically as it relates to political women. Connections are apparent between a state's female sociopolitical subculture and attorney general elections, in terms of female candidate emergence, primary candidates’ ultimate electoral success, and a state's history of electing women to this stereotypically male office.
Optimizing dose-dense regimens for early-stage breast cancer

Survival of patients with high-risk early-stage breast cancer has been improved by chemotherapy administration at shorter dose intervals: 'dose-dense' therapy. Validation for this approach is provided by the AGO trial, which demonstrated the biggest survival advantage of any study of dose-dense chemotherapy to date.
Sites in simian virus 40 chromatin which are preferentially cleaved by endonucleases

Abstract Simian virus 40 (SV40) chromatin isolated from infected BSC-1 cell nuclei was incubated with deoxyribonuclease I, staphylococcal nuclease or an endonuclease endogenous to BSC-1 cells under conditions selected to introduce one doublestrand break into the viral DNA. Full-length linear DNA was isolated, and the distribution of sites of initial cleavage by each endonuclease was determined by restriction enzyme mapping. Initial cleavage of SV40 chromatin by deoxyribonuclease I or by endogenous nuclease reduced the recovery of Hind III fragment C by comparison with the other Hind III fragments. Similarly, Hpa I fragment B recovery was reduced by comparison with the other Hpa I fragments. When isolated SV40 DNA rather than SV40 chromatin was the substrate for an initial cut by deoxyribonuclease I or endogenous nuclease, the recovery of all Hind III or Hpa I fragments was approximately that expected for random cleavage. Initial cleavage by staphylococcal nuclease of either SV40 DNA or SV40 chromatin occurred randomly as judged by recovery of Hind III or Hpa I fragments. These results suggest that, in at least a portion of the SV40 chromatin population, a region located in Hind III fragment C and Hpa I fragment B is preferentially cleaved by deoxyribonuclease I or by endogenous nuclease but not by staphylococcal nuclease. Complementary information about this nuclease-sensitive region was provided by the appearance of clusters of new DNA fragments after restriction enzyme digestion of DNA from viral chromatin initially cleaved by endogenous nuclease. From the sizes of new fragments produced by different restriction enzymes, preferential endonucleolytic cleavage of SV40 chromatin has been located between map positions 0.67 and 0.73 on the viral genome.