cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gastrin induction of mRNA expression in rat colonic epithelium in vitro.

Abstract A newly developed system of isolated rat colonic epithelial cells was utilized for a comprehensive study of protein synthesis influenced by gastrin. We found that synthetic human gastrin (0.01–100 nM) increased the incorporation of [ 35 S]methionine into proteins within 2 hours. Peak incorporation was observed with 10 nM gastrin to more than two-fold above maintenance levels. Actinomycin-D (10 μg/ml) inhibited the stimulated increases in total protein synthesis indicating that the peptide's trophic effect was mediated by the synthesis of new mRNA species. The effect of gastrin was comparably stronger than the one induced by the mitogen bombesin (1 nM). However, bombesin, a neuromodulator of gastrin release, did not produce an additive effect beyond that of gastrin on total protein synthesis. Gastrin stimulated the synthesis of many polypeptides resolved on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel, an indicator of gastrin's influence on the expression of various mRNA species. Some of these polypeptides may be used as markers in investigating colonic epithelial response to gastrin.
Live imaging of stem cell and progeny behaviour in physiological hair-follicle regeneration

Tissue development and regeneration depend on cell-cell interactions and signals that target stem cells and their immediate progeny. However, the cellular behaviours that lead to a properly regenerated tissue are not well understood. Using a new, non-invasive, intravital two-photon imaging approach we study physiological hair-follicle regeneration over time in live mice. By these means we have monitored the behaviour of epithelial stem cells and their progeny during physiological hair regeneration and addressed how the mesenchyme influences their behaviour. Consistent with earlier studies, stem cells are quiescent during the initial stages of hair regeneration, whereas the progeny are more actively dividing. Moreover, stem cell progeny divisions are spatially organized within follicles. In addition to cell divisions, coordinated cell movements of the progeny allow the rapid expansion of the hair follicle. Finally, we show the requirement of the mesenchyme for hair regeneration through targeted cell ablation and long-term tracking of live hair follicles. Thus, we have established an in vivo approach that has led to the direct observation of cellular mechanisms of growth regulation within the hair follicle and that has enabled us to precisely investigate functional requirements of hair-follicle components during the process of physiological regeneration.
Improving object-oriented user interfaces with constraints

Abstract The user interface is a crucial part of any modern computer system. Much effort is spent on its design and coding. Object-oriented (OO) user interface technology increases the productivity of interface designers and programmers. The paper describes the concepts used to build OO user interfaces, in particular the frameworks used by the Smalltalk-80 MVC user interface paradigm and the InterViews user interface toolkit for the XII window system. However, there are some shortcomings in the OO approach. To address them, constraints are introduced. Constraints are declared relationships among objects that are maintained by a constraint-satisfaction mechanism. While in OO user interfaces its components communicate via messages according to pre-established protocols, here the relationships are described declaratively with structured sets of maintained constraints and a framework developed to compose user interfaces based on different types of constraints.
Influence of sulphate, chloride, and thiocyanate salts on formation of β-lactoglobulin–pectin microgels

Effects of sulphate, chloride, and thiocyanate salts on the heat-induced formation of protein-based microgels from β-lactoglobulin-pectin complexes were determined as a function of pH and protein-to-polysaccharide ratio. Aggregation temperatures were initially decreased at low ionic strength due to shielding of electrostatic interactions between β-lactoglobulin and pectin but increased with further increases in ionic strength. Turbidity of heated mixtures and associated sizes of formed microgels were increased with up to 75 mmol kg(-1) ionic strength. Aggregation and microgel formation were relatively increased in the presence of thiocyanate salts compared to chloride salts and relatively decreased in the presence of sulphate salts, indicating that the inverse Hofmeister series was relevant in this system. Topographical analysis of dried microgels by atomic force microscopy verified that microgels were smallest in the presence of sulphate salts and showed that added ions, particularly thiocyanate, increased the deformability of microgels during drying.
Equilibrium and kinetic analysis of microtubule assembly in the presence of guanosine diphosphate

Abstract In this paper we expand upon a previously reported observation of the effects of GDP on microtubule assembly. A ratio of GDP to GTP of ten (1 m m -GDP and 0.1 m m -GTP) is generally sufficient to completely block microtubule assembly, but only limited depolymerization is induced if GDP is added after assembly has reached a plateau in the presence of GTP. When added during polymerization, GDP arrests further elongation, and greater steady-state levels of assembly are obtained the later the time of addition of GDP. To explain this behavior we examined the rates of assembly and disassembly and the apparent critical concentration ( C 0 ) of tubulin in the presence of GDP. GDP-tubulin polymerizes very slowly as compared to GTP-tubulin, while depolymerization rates, as determined by dilution, are nearly identical in GTP and GDP. The C 0 value calculated from the assembly and disassembly rates in GTP is within experimental error of the C 0 value at steady-state determined directly. In the presence of GDP, however, the C 0 value calculated from rate measurements is at least 60 times greater than that determined by equilibrium analysis. Our results indicate that the net assembly rate in GDP is not a valid measure of the reaction occurring at steady-state. A limited amount of depolymerization may occur upon addition of GDP to microtubules, and this appears to be due to a decrease in the fraction of protein able to participate in the polymerization reaction. The amount of tubulin “inactivated” by GDP is increased by the removal of microtubule-associated proteins. GDP-tubulin will stabilize existing microtubules, even when its polymerization cannot be demonstrated. These results are inconsistent with present models of microtubule assembly, and a new model involving co-operative interaction of microtubule-associated protein-tubulin oligomers at microtubule ends is proposed.
Sexual Protective Strategies of Late Adolescent Females: More Than Just Condoms

Objective To identify the sexual protective strategies of late adolescent heterosexual women. Design Open-ended questioning regarding sexual protective strategies was included in a larger cross-sectional survey on sexual risk. Participants' responses were recorded verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. Participants 234 African American, Hispanic/Latina, and non-Hispanic white 19- to 21-year-old females were recruited from the driver's license records of a mid-Atlantic state. Main Outcome Measures Participants re-1 to the on-ended question, “How or what do you do to reduce your risk for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV?” Results Seven primary sexual protective strategies were identified from participants' responses: using condoms, abstaining or postponing sexual intercourse, getting tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted diseases (SIDs), selecting safe partners, negotiating condom use, talking about sexual risk histories, and limiting the number of sexual partners. Conclusions Some of the sexual protective strategies identified by study participants were less than effective and left young women vulnerable to infection with HIV and STDs. In addition, the use of these alternative strategies may leave young women feeling less at risk and thus less likely to use other more effective strategies such as condoms. The implications for nursing practice and the assessment of the sexual protective strategies of young heterosexual women are discussed.
Analytical Model for Capillary Evaporation Limitation in Thin Porous Layers

Fluid flow and heat transfer in thin porous layers are of fundamental importance in numerous applications, including the development of high power-density electronics cooling devices, loop heat pipes, aerospace radiators, as well as micro fuel cells. A two-dimensional analytical model has been developed to evaluate the pressure distribution and capillary evaporation limitation in a uniformly heated thin porous layer and the effects of the porous structure and properties of the working fluid on the capillary evaporation process. Two types of porous materials, sintered powder and layers of screen mesh, with different characteristics were investigated. The results indicated that the maximum capillary evaporation-heat transfer is proportional to the thickness and the permeability of the thin porous layer, but that increasing the thickness of the porous layer can result in higher superheat. Higher Bond numbers were shown to correspond to higher capillary evaporation heat-transfer limitations. By comparison, the sintered wick structure had a significantly higher effective conductivity and a higher capillary pumping pressure than the mesh screen. As a result, the maximum evaporation heat-transfer rate for the sintered powder layer was much higher than for any of the mesh screen layers evaluated.
Modifications of Quenching Techniques for Phase Equilibrium Studies

A variation of technique and thermal-gradient apparatus from that previously used has been devised for quenching samples. This consists of a modified furnace and a roller and crimping machine. These modifications provide a higher maximum temperature of operation, a more satisfactory method of loading sample tubes, and a more efficient method of measuring temperature than previously used.
Robust Estimates of Hydrogen-Impact Ionization Cross Sections Over a Wide Energy Range

We describe a simple and effective procedure to estimate hydrogen-impact ionization cross sections over the energy range of tens of keV/nucleon to tens of MeV/nucleon. The procedure is valid in the first Born approximation using known or estimated electron-impact cross sections. The original Bates-Griffing relation between the two sets of cross sections is reformulated and a correction factor due to multiple transitions is introduced. Sample calculated ionization cross sections for helium and carbon collisions with hydrogen are presented.
Neurosteroids block Ca2+ channel current in freshly isolated hippocampal CA1 neurons

Abstract Certain synthetic and endogenous steroids are known to modulate neuronal responses to -γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and also change the firing frequency of certain neurons. However, there is nothing known of the effect(s) of steroids on voltage-gated calcium currents in mammalian neurons. We show here that the steroids (0.1–100 μM) allotetrahydrocorticosterone (THCC), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and pregnanolone can rapidly and reversibly depress voltage-gated calcium currents in freshly isolated adult hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. This blocking action occurs in the presence of picrotoxin (10 μM). Tail current analysis shows that THCC appears to be a ligand that selectively and reversibly depresses the ω-conotoxin (fraction GVIA) sensitive portion of the calcium current. These results demonstrate that certain steroid metabolites have a direct membrane site of action which may influence brain excitability.
A prospective randomized study of the effectiveness of aromatherapy for relief of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Introduction Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a major concern for patients having surgery under general anesthesia as it causes subjective distress along with increased complications and delays in discharge from the hospital. Aromatherapy represents a complementary and alternative therapy for the management of PONV. Purpose The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of aromatherapy (QueaseEase, Soothing Scents, Inc, Enterprise, AL) versus an unscented inhalant in relieving PONV. Methods One hundred twenty-one patients with postoperative nausea were randomized into a treatment group receiving an aromatic inhaler and a control group receiving a placebo inhaler to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy. Findings Initial and follow-up nausea assessment scores in both treatment and placebo groups decreased significantly ( P P = .03). Perceived effectiveness of aromatherapy was significantly higher in the treatment group ( P Conclusions Aromatherapy was favorably received by most patients and represents an effective treatment option for postoperative nausea.
Support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS: A review of literature

For more than a decade, support groups have been proposed as a key intervention for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWAs). Despite this fact, there are still only a few articles that evaluate and compare outcomes of support groups so as to provide a scientific base for their usefulness and effectiveness. The purpose of this article is to critically review selected published literature on support groups and to assess gaps in research. In general, the reviewed literature evaluated support groups as an effective intervention, which is evident for this widespread support. However, because diverse populations of PLWAs have specific needs, the group and intervention should be designed to meet those needs. Specific recommendations for further research about support groups for PLWAs are offered.
Role of the bovine adrenal cortical pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase in steroid 11β-hydroxylation☆

Abstract Energy-controlled pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase activity has been studied in mitochondrial and submitochondrial particles of bovine adrenal cortex. It has similar properties to those described in other tissues. The transhydrogenase activity of the submitochondrial particles can be utilized to support 11β-hydroxylation in a reconstructed hydroxylase system. The effect of hydroxylating conditions on the oxidation state of endogenous pyridine nucleotides in intact mitochondria, as determined by direct fluorometric measurements and enzyrnic assays in mitochondrial extracts, indicates that the energy-controlled pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase is a participant, in the generation of intramitochondrial NADPH for the support of 11β-hydroxylation. It is concluded that this enzyme provides a link between the 11β-hydroxylase system and the respiratory chain and that its control by the energy state of the mitochondrion may serve as a mechanism for the regulation of corticoster-oidogenesis.
Precedence constrained pickup and delivery with split loads

A split load is a load having size no greater than the capacity of a single vehicle that is delivered using more than a single vehicle. The use of split loads can reduce the total transportation cost and the number of vehicles serving a set of loads. Several studies have shown the benefit of split loads as applied to the split delivery vehicle routing problem (SDVRP) and the pickup and delivery problem with split loads (PDPSL). While most research on the application of split loads to vehicle routing has revolved around heuristic methods, in this paper an exact solution method is used on a constrained version of the PDPSL. All origins to be visited must be served before any destination that is to be visited on each route, which we refer to as the precedence constrained-PDPSL (PC-PDPSL). Through this constraint, several structural characteristics that result from the SDVRP are shown to also hold for the PC-PDPSL. In particular, we develop a dynamic programming formulation of the PC-PDPSL and show that the s...
Racial Disparities in Outcomes of Adult Heart Transplantation

Background—This study evaluated whether minority orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients tend to be transplanted at worse performing centers. Methods and Results—OHT recipients between 2000 and 2010 were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing database and stratified by race. Center performance was evaluated using observed-to-expected mortality ratios that were calculated using validated indexes for recipient and donor risk in OHT. The primary outcome was 1-year post-OHT mortality. A total of 102 centers performed OHT in 18 085 patients. Blacks had higher unadjusted 1-year mortality, which was confirmed after risk adjustment. Blacks had increased risk-adjusted mortality at poor performing centers (observed-to-expected mortality ratio, >1.2; odds ratio, 1.37 [95% confidence interval, 1.12–1.69]; P=0.002) and a strong trend toward increased mortality at excellent performing centers (observed-to-expected mortality ratio, <0.8; odds ratio, 1.42 [95% confidence interval, 0.99–2.02]; P=0.06). A ...
Stimulation studies of the prefrontal lobe and uncus in man.

Abstract 1. 1. Electric stimulation of the uncus, cingulate, orbital and superior surface areas of the prefrontal cortex has been carried out in conscious man with special reference to its effect on respiration, state of consciousness and seizures. 2. 2. Studies were made on 24 patients while undergoing selective cortical undercutting in various areas of the frontal lobes for mental disease. 3. 3. Meager changes were noted following stimulation with high voltage and long duration of the cingulate, orbital and superior surface areas of the prefrontal lobes. In one case, stimulation of the cingulate surface produced a marked quieting effect on an agitated patient. 4. 4. Profound changes in respiration, state of consciousness and delayed appearance of seizures followed stimulation of the uncus with relatively low voltage and short duration. 5. 5. The uncal effects appear to be cumulative and when once initiated may continue for variable periods of time.
Europe as social reality

What is “Europe”? There exist European legal rules, emergent from the institutional structure constructed from the treaties negotiated among the separate nation-states over the half-century since World War II. The social reality that is Europe in 1996 remains far removed from the social reality that is the United States, where individuals are directly subject to federal laws as well as those laws promulgated through the separate states. Europe is not yet a federal union or a federalism, but may qualify as a confederation of nation-states. Europe, as observed, does not correspond to the theorists' model for political federalism. It remains open as to whether or not any approximation to this model will ultimately be realized.
New formalism for the analysis of passively Q-switched laser systems

We present a new formalism for the analysis of passively Q-switched laser systems that facilitates the performance of sensitivity studies and system optimizations. The developed formalism is general enough to include the impact of an ESA process in the saturable absorber Q-switch and, therefore, is applicable to Cr/sup 4+/:YAG passively Q-switched systems. To illustrate the use of the developed formalism, we have applied it to a comparative analysis of two laser systems based on Nd:YAG and Yb:YAG.
High-resolution spectroscopy of two gamma-ray bursts in 1978 November

The first results from the ISEE 3 radiatively cooled germanium gamma-ray burst spectrometer are presented. Spectra and time histories from two events on 1978 November 4 and 19 are given. A significant difference in the continuum spectra for the two events was observed. Evidence is presented for two spectral features in the November 19 event, a broad one at about 420 keV and a narrower one at about 740 keV with a suggestion of an accompanying high-energy tail.
Local Sensitivity of Predicted CO2 Injectivity and Plume Extent to Model Inputs for the FutureGen 2.0 site

Abstract Numerical simulations have been used for estimating CO 2 injectivity, CO 2 plume extent, pressure distribution, and Area of Review (AoR), and for the design of CO 2 injection operations and monitoring network for the FutureGen project. The simulation results are affected by uncertainties associated with numerous input parameters, the conceptual model, initial and boundary conditions, and factors related to injection operations. Furthermore, the uncertainties in the simulation results also vary in space and time. The key need is to identify those uncertainties that critically impact the simulation results and quantify their impacts. We introduce an approach to determine the local sensitivity coefficient (LSC), defined as the response of the output in percent, to rank the importance of model inputs on outputs. The uncertainty of an input with higher sensitivity has larger impacts on the output. The LSC is scalable by the error of an input parameter. The composite sensitivity of an output to a subset of inputs can be calculated by summing the individual LSC values. We propose a local sensitivity coefficient method and applied it to the FutureGen 2.0 Site in Morgan County, Illinois, USA, to investigate the sensitivity of input parameters and initial conditions. The conceptual model for the site consists of 31 layers, each of which has a unique set of input parameters. The sensitivity of 11 parameters for each layer and 7 inputs as initial conditions is then investigated. For CO 2 injectivity and plume size, about half of the uncertainty is due to only 4 or 5 of the 348 inputs and 3/4 of the uncertainty is due to about 15 of the inputs. The initial conditions and the properties of the injection layer and its neighbour layers contribute to most of the sensitivity. Overall, the simulation outputs are very sensitive to only a small fraction of the inputs. However, the parameters that are important for controlling CO 2 injectivity are not the same as those controlling the plume size. The three most sensitive inputs for injectivity were the horizontal permeability of Mt Simon 11 (the injection layer), the initial fracture-pressure gradient, and the residual aqueous saturation of Mt Simon 11, while those for the plume area were the initial salt concentration, the initial pressure, and the initial fracture-pressure gradient. The advantages of requiring only a single set of simulation results, scalability to the proper parameter errors, and easy calculation of the composite sensitivities make this approach very cost-effective for estimating AoR uncertainty and guiding cost-effective site characterization, injection well design, and monitoring network design for CO 2 storage projects.
Surface properties of platinum thin films as a function of plasma treatment conditions

We examined the surface properties of platinum (Pt) thin films exposed to oxygen and argon plasma treatments and compared them to as-deposited Pt films. The surface wetting properties, refractive index and extinction coefficient of the Pt films were monitored as a function of time after different plasma treatments. Surfaces treated with an oxygen plasma were dramatically different from as-deposited Pt, whereas argon plasma treated surfaces were similar to as-deposited films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of platinum oxide on films treated with an oxygen plasma, while such oxide diminished after argon plasma treatment. Surface morphology studied with atomic force microscopy indicated a strong dependence of the surface roughness of the Pt films on the power and duration of the argon plasma used for the treatment. Based on these studies, an oxygen plasma treatment followed by a brief low-power argon plasma etch was developed for the purpose of regenerating clean and metallic Pt surfaces, and at the same time providing the smoothest possible surface morphology.
Radius-independent resonances in electron-hole drop magnetoplasmas

We discuss theoretically the microwave and far-infrared spectra which exist in the parameter ranges appropriate to small electron-hole drops in Ge when they are located in a dc magnetic field. Our examination employs the perturbation-theory results of Ford, Furdyna, and Werner, which rigorously describe the interaction of a small gyrotropic sphere with external time-varying electric and magnetic fields. We consider only the two high-symmetry orientations of the dc magnetic field, parallel to the [100] axis of Ge and parallel to the [111] axis of Ge, for which the electron-hole magnetoplasma in Ge is described by a dielectric tensor of a form amenable to the perturbation theory. The theory predicts several radius-independent electric and magnetic resonances. In parameter ranges appropriate to compensated electron-hole drops in Ge, we find that the positions of all resonances are functions only of the various carrier effective masses and ratios of the concentrations of the different carriers. The intensities of the electric resonances are inversely proportional to the electron carrier concentration and vary as the cube of sphere radius and the fourth power of frequency. The intensities of the magnetic resonances are directly proportional to the electron carrier concentration and vary with the fifth power of radius and the square of frequency. We find that two additional electric resonances can occur when the electron-hold drop is uncompensated. The positions of these resonances depend directly upon the difference in the electron and hole carrier densities.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of self-mineralization and biocompatibility of injectable, dual-gelling hydrogels for bone tissue engineering

In this study, we investigated the mineralization capacity and biocompatibility of injectable, dual-gelling hydrogels in a rat cranial defect as a function of hydrogel hydrophobicity from either the copolymerization of a hydrolyzable lactone ring or the hydrogel polymer content. The hydrogel system comprised a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based thermogelling macromer (TGM) and a polyamidoamine crosslinker. The thermogelling macromer was copolymerized with (TGM/DBA) or without (TGM) a dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone acrylate (DBA)-containing lactone ring that modulated the lower critical solution temperature and thus, the hydrogel hydrophobicity, over time. Three hydrogel groups were examined: (1) 15wt.% TGM, (2) 15wt.% TGM/DBA, and (3) 20wt.% TGM/DBA. The hydrogels were implanted within an 8mm critical size rat cranial defect for 4 and 12weeks. Implants were harvested at each timepoint and analyzed for bone formation, hydrogel mineralization and tissue response using microcomputed tomography (microCT). Histology and fibrous capsule scoring showed a light inflammatory response at 4weeks that was mitigated by 12weeks for all groups. MicroCT scoring and bone volume quantification demonstrated a similar bone formation at 4weeks that was significantly increased for the more hydrophobic hydrogel formulations - 15wt.% TGM and 20wt.% TGM/DBA - from 4weeks to 12weeks. A complementary in vitro acellular mineralization study revealed that the hydrogels exhibited calcium binding properties in the presence of serum-containing media, which was modulated by the hydrogel hydrophobicity. The tailored mineralization capacity of these injectable, dual-gelling hydrogels with hydrolysis-dependent hydrophobicity presents an exciting property for their use in bone tissue engineering applications.
Improving the CoNiMnP Electrodeposition Process Using Taguchi Design of Experiments

Thin film magnetic materials with out-of-plane anisotropy are important for microelectromechanical systems MEMS actuation and other applications requiring forces at a distance. Electrodeposited magnetic alloys are the most easily integrated option because they do not require high temperature processing or exotic seed layers. However, electrodeposition processes can be inconsistent and optimizing such processes is difficult because of the large number of factors typically involved: seed layer, bath chemistry, physical bath parameters, and current density. Such problems are well-suited to Taguchi design of experiments, which we used to determine and optimize factors with the largest influence on residual stress and out-of-plane magnetic properties of CoNiMnP films. A new process recipe resulted which yielded a maximum energy density of 5.3 kJ/m3, a remanence of 220 mT,
Differential action of bromocriptine on nigrostriatal versus mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons

The present study was undertaken to compare the abilities of the dopaminergic agonists apomorphine, bromocriptine, and lergotrile to inhibit the synthesis of dopamine (DA) in terminals of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DA neurons. The in vivo synthesis of DA was estimated by measuring the rate of accumulation of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in terminals of nigrostriatal (striatum) and mesolimbic (nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle) neurons 30 min after the administration of NSD 1015, a decarboxylase inhibitor. The activation of DA autoreceptors in these regions was evaluated by measuring the abilities of the DA agonists to inhibit DA synthesis in brain regions of rats pretreated with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). Apomorphine (0.03-1.0 mg/kg for 45 min) and bromocriptine (0.1-10 mg/kg for 90 min) produced dose-dependent decreases in the rate of DA synthesis in all three brain regions of both vehicle- and GBL-treated rats. A time course of the effects of the highest dose of bromocriptine (10 mg/kg), however, demonstrated dramatic regional differences in the ability of this drug to inhibit DA synthesis in saline-versus GBL-pretreated rats. Bromocriptine inhibited the GBL-induced increase in DA synthesis for 6 hours in all regions examined. In the striatum of saline-treated rats the decrease in DA synthesis was evident only at 1.5 hours after bromocriptine administration, while in the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle DA synthesis remained inhibited for 6 hours. By contrast, lergotrile reduced DA synthesis to a similar extent in all three regions for at least 6 hours in both vehicle- and GBL-treated rats. These results suggest that there is no regional difference in the ability of bromocriptine to inhibit DA synthesis via DA autoreceptor mechanisms, but there appear to be differences in postsynaptic DA receptor-mediated mechanisms which regulate nigrostriatal versus mesolimbic DA neurons.
Phosphorylation Site Mutations Affect Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 ICP0 Function

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early (IE) regulatory protein infected-cell protein 0 (ICP0) is a strong and global transactivator of both viral and cellular genes. In a previous study, we reported that ICP0 is highly phosphorylated and contains at least seven distinct phosphorylation signals as determined by phosphotryptic peptide mapping (D. J. Davido et al., J. Virol. 76:1077-1088, 2002). Since phosphorylation affects the activities of many viral regulatory proteins, we sought to determine whether the phosphorylation of ICP0 affects its functions. To address this question, it was first necessary to identify the regions of ICP0 that are phosphorylated. For this purpose, ICP0 was partially purified, and phosphorylation sites were mapped by microcapillary high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Three phosphorylated regions containing 11 putative phosphorylation sites, all within or adjacent to domains important for the transactivating activity of ICP0, were identified. The 11 sites were mutated to alanine as clusters in each of the three regions by site-directed mutagenesis, generating plasmids expressing mutant forms of ICP0: Phos 1 (four mutated sites), Phos 2 (three mutated sites), and Phos 3 (four mutated sites). One-dimensional phosphotryptic peptide analysis confirmed that the phosphorylation state of each Phos mutant form of ICP0 is altered relative to that of wild-type ICP0. In functional assays, the ICP0 phosphorylation site mutations affected the subcellular and subnuclear localization of ICP0, its ability to alter the staining pattern of the nuclear domain 10 (ND10)-associated protein PML, and/or its transactivating activity in Vero cells. Only mutations in Phos 1, however, impaired the ability of ICP0 to complement the replication of an ICP0 null mutant in Vero cells. This study thus suggests that phosphorylation is an important regulator of ICP0 function.
Effects of photodynamic treatment on DNA

A common feature of the photosensitizers in current or proposed use for photodynamic therapy (PDT) is their lipophilicity which promotes their accumulation in cellular membranes. In spite of the absence of observable photosensitizers in the nucleus, photodynamic activation of photosensitizer-loaded cells produces substantial amounts of DNA damage. With either porphyrins or phthalocyanines as photosensitizers, the yield of DNA single-strand breaks plus alkali-labile sites (SSB) is less than that resulting from an equitoxic dose of ionizing radiation; however, these same photodynamic treatments produce high yields of DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC), which are not repaired during post-treatment incubation of the cells, in contrast to the DPC produced by ionizing radiation. Initial yields of DPC after photodynamic treatment of murine lymphoma L5178Y cells sensitized by chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (AlPcCl) are greater in the relatively PDT-sensitive strain LY-R as compared to the relatively PDT-resistant strain LY-S. Photodynamic treatment sensitized either by AlPcCl or by Photofrin II is mutagenic at the thymidine kinase (tk) locus in one or more sub-strains of LY-R and LY-S. With Photofrin II, the induction of mutations has been observed in the tk+/- heterozygous strains LY-R16 and LY-S1, but not in the hemizygous tk+/0 strain LY-R83. This pattern of strain-specific mutagenesis is found for other agents, such a ionizing radiation, which produce a high proportion of multi-locus lesions. With AlPcCl, mutation induction is found in strains LY-S1 and LY-SR1, but not in either of the sub-strains of LY-R. Treatment of strains LY-R and LY-S with identical doses of AlPcCl and red light results in degradation of the DNA, which occurs earlier and to a greater extent in the more PDT-sensitive strain. Examination of the size of the DNA during the period of degradation revealed a series of fragments with sizes which were multiples of approximately 190 bp. This suggests that PDT treatment of L5178Y cells induces the process known as apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in which endonucleolytic scission of the DNA occurs in the internucleosomal linker region. DNA degradation is also stimulated by treatment of murine L929 fibroblasts with phthalocyanine and light but not by gamma- irradiation alone. Combined treatment with a minimally lethal dose of PDT and a dose of gamma-radiation producing 90% cell death results in the induction of a PDT-type cell death in a substantial portion of the cells. When the level of programmed cell death is very high, the recovery of mutants may be compromised. Thus, PDT appears to produce extensive DNA damage, but events at other cellular locations may alter the expression of that damage.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Scale-free flow of life: on the biology, economics, and physics of the cell

The present work is intended to demonstrate that most of the paradoxes, controversies, and contradictions accumulated in molecular and cell biology over many years of research can be readily resolved if the cell and living systems in general are re-interpreted within an alternative paradigm of biological organization that is based on the concepts and empirical laws of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. In addition to resolving paradoxes and controversies, the proposed re-conceptualization of the cell and biological organization reveals hitherto unappreciated connections among many seemingly disparate phenomena and observations, and provides new and powerful insights into the universal principles governing the emergence and organizational dynamics of living systems on each and every scale of biological organizational hierarchy, from proteins and cells to economies and ecologies.
Coping with the Dual Demands of Severe Mental Illness and Parenting: The Parents' Perspective:

The experience of parenthood by individuals with severe mental illness has not been well studied. Research on mentally ill parents has focused on their pathology and the potential risk for their children without considering the parents' perspective. This qualitative study used interviews to explore how these parents coped with the dual demands of parenthood and their illness. Participants included individuals whose children are now young adults as well as those with younger children. Themes that emerged were problems with diagnosis and treatment, stigma, chaotic interpersonal relationships, the strain of single parenthood, custody issues, relationship with children, social support, and pride in being a parent. Follow-up interviews focused on the themes of relationship with children, strain of single parenthood, and sources of support. Relationship with children contained three specific topics: discipline, boundary issues, and role reversal. Implications for practice are discussed along with recommendation...
Protecting Respondent Confidentiality in Qualitative Research

For qualitative researchers, maintaining respondent confidentiality while presenting rich, detailed accounts of social life presents unique challenges. These challenges are not adequately addressed in the literature on research ethics and research methods. Using an example from a study of breast cancer survivors, I argue that by carefully considering the audience for one's research and by reenvisioning the informed consent process, qualitative researchers can avoid confidentiality dilemmas that might otherwise lead them not to report rich, detailed data.
Oviposition site selection: Pesticide avoidance by gray treefrogs

Effects of glyphosate-formulated herbicides on nontarget organisms have received much recent attention. Although previous studies have explored the effects of pesticides on growth, development, and mortality of various amphibian species, no studies have tested the potential effects of herbicides on oviposition site selection by amphibians. Recent studies have found that a combination of pesticide and predatory cues lead to significantly increased mortality of tadpoles of several anuran species relative to that caused by pesticide alone. In the present study, I tested two hypotheses: First, adult gray treefrogs avoid oviposition sites based on the presence of glyphosate formulation (Roundup). Second, pesticide avoidance is manifested to a greater degree when combined with predatory cues. In the spring of 2006, I conducted an outdoor experiment using artificial ponds by setting up four treatments: Predatory fish cue, Roundup (2.4 mg glyphosate acid equivalent [a.e.]/L), a combination of predatory fish cue + Roundup, and a control. This experiment was designed to assess oviposition site choice among the four treatments by gray treefrogs based on the number of eggs laid in each treatment. Gray treefrogs avoided oviposition in pools contaminated with fish cue and/ or Roundup and placed the significant majority of their eggs in control pools, which suggests that breeding adults may be able to prevent lethal exposure of herbicide to their offspring through oviposition site selection. The present study provided the first evidence that the concentration of herbicide that is expected to be found in the field potentially alters oviposition site choice by amphibians. However, the concentration of 2.4 mg a.e./L is unlikely ubiquitous in nature. Thus, the further investigation of environmental relevancy of this finding is critical.
House calls revisited: leveraging technology to overcome obstacles to veteran psychiatric care and improve treatment outcomes

Despite an increasing number of military service members in need of mental health treatment following deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, numerous psychological and practical barriers limit access to care. Perceived stigma about admitting psychological difficulties as well as frequent long distances to treatment facilities reduce many veterans' willingness and ability to receive care. Telemedicine and virtual human technologies offer a unique potential to expand services to those in greatest need. Telemedicine-based treatment has been used to address multiple psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use, as well as to provide suicide risk assessment and intervention. Clinician education and training has also been enhanced and expanded through the use of distance technologies, with trainees practicing clinical skills with virtual patients and supervisors connecting with clinicians via videoconferencing. The use of these innovative and creative vehicles offers a significant and as yet unfulfilled promise to expand delivery of high-quality psychological therapies, regardless of clinician and patient location.
Changes in Apparent Size of Giant Stars with Wavelength due to Electron-Hydrogen Collisions

Interferometric measurements of stellar sizes in frequency bands ranging from the near-infrared to longer wavelengthsgivedifferentresults.Variousexplanationshavebeenproposedtoaccountforthesevariationsinapparentsize withwavelength,butnonehave beenentirely consistent.Weproposethat thermal ionizationinthestellar atmosphere and resulting opacity, primarily due to free-free electron-hydrogen collisions, play a significant role. Such an opacity has a quadratic dependence on photon wavelength and produces variations in the opacity of the atmosphere with wavelength, consistent with pertinent measurements. This may be particularly important for Mira-type stars, and two examples, o Ceti and W Hya, are analyzed as examples. For stars that are much smaller or with more concentrated mass, it is not likely to be significant. Subject headingg stars: atmospheres — stars: fundamental parameters — stars: variables: other — techniques: interferometric
THE ANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC EFFECT OF EXERCISE AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION

Atherosclerosis and its sequelae of MI, bypass surgery, and angioplasty can be affected positively in both the primary and secondary setting by the use of properly prescribed physical activity. Such activity in a higher weekly kilocalorie expenditure (usually involving greater intensity) seems to be effective in achieving regression of atherosclerosis and in improving LVEF. In general, any activity is better than none, but more energy expenditure seems associated with greater benefits. Regardless of these apparent beneficial effects of exercise, such benefits are much less apparent if modification of other coronary risk factors is not also achieved. These efforts must focus on cessation of smoking, control of abnormal blood lipids, and normalization of high blood pressure. With these less costly methods of controlling atherosclerosis, the future impact of this type of intervention will likely be of great importance as society adjusts to the cost constraints of managed (especially capitated) care in the near future.
Localization of Association Signal from Risk and Protective Variants in Sequencing Studies

Aggregating information across multiple variants in a gene or region can improve power for rare variant association testing. Power is maximized when the aggregation region contains many causal variants and few neutral variants. In this paper, we present a method for the localization of the association signal in a region using a sliding-window based approach to rare variant association testing in a region. We first introduce a novel method for analysis of rare variants, the Difference in Minor Allele Frequency test (DMAF), which allows combined analysis of common and rare variants, and makes no assumptions about the direction of effects. In whole-region analyses of simulated data with risk and protective variants, DMAF and other methods which pool data across individuals were found to outperform methods which pool data across variants. We then implement a sliding-window version of DMAF, using a step-down permutation approach to control type I error with the testing of multiple windows. In simulations, the sliding-window DMAF improved power to detect a causal sub-region, compared to applying DMAF to the whole region. Sliding-window DMAF was also effective in localizing the causal sub-region. We also applied the DMAF sliding window approach to test for an association between response to the drug gemcitabine and variants in the gene FKBP5 sequenced in 91 lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from white non-Hispanic individuals. The application of the sliding window test procedure detected an association in a sub-region spanning an exon and two introns, when rare and common variants were analyzed together.
Another look at tutorial CALL

According to the dichotomy popularized by Levy (1995, 1997), computers may be used in language learning in either tutor or tool roles. Recently there has been a waning of interest in tutorial software for language learning in favor of tool-oriented applications. While we do not dispute the value of the computer as a tool, we argue that it is in the best interest of CALL practitioners and language teachers in general to be better informed about the realities of tutorial software so that the field can continue to grow and mature along multiple paths. In support of this position, we present a case for placing tutorial CALL back into the mainstream of the field. After a discussion of several common myths about tutorial CALL, we offer six reasons as to why tutorial CALL has been marginalized. We follow with some evidence that, despite the presence of these myths and this marginalization, CALL practitioners around the world continue to find tutorial CALL appealing for research and development. Specifically, we review the presentations at four major CALL Conferences in 2002 and classify them as primarily focused on tutor or tool uses. Although tool-oriented applications dominate overall, the results show a strong continuing interest in tutorial applications as well. We conclude with proposals for (1) reconsidering the dichotomous nature of the tutor-tool distinction, (2) changing the defining characteristic of tutorial CALL from evaluation to teaching presence, and (3) suggesting several aspects of language learning that tutorial CALL is best suited to support, given the present state of technology.
A Communication-Based Model of a Small-Group Dysfunction:

This article presents an initial formulation of a dysfunctional group dynamic, the farrago. Farrago, literally meaning mixed fodder for cattle, figuratively is used to describe a medley or a confused group. It was decided to call our focal actor a farrago because (a) interactions with this type of problematic person often result in confusion as to responsibilities, group tasks, decision-making procedures, and so on, and (b) these interactions cause the group itself to become confused. In this model, the interplay between the focal actor and other group members mutually creates and evokes multiple inhibiting influences associated with interaction norms, authority relations, status distribution, and so on. Two types of antecedent conditions-habits of individuals (interpretive omnipotence, heroic stance, and undifferentiated passion) and properties of systems (weak socialization practices, high task interdependence, participatory decision making, and ambiguity of rules)-are identified. The interactional dyna...