cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo evidence that N-oleoylglycine acts independently of its conversion to oleamide

Oleamide (cis-9-octadecenamide) is a member of an emerging class of lipid-signaling molecules, the primary fatty acid amides. A growing body of evidence indicates that oleamide mediates fundamental neurochemical processes including sleep, thermoregulation, and nociception. Nevertheless, the mechanism for oleamide biosynthesis remains unknown. The leading hypothesis holds that oleamide is synthesized from oleoylglycine via the actions of the peptide amidating enzyme, peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). The present study investigated this hypothesis using pharmacologic treatments, physiologic assessments, and measurements of serum oleamide levels using a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Oleamide and oleoylglycine both induced profound hypothermia and decreased locomotion, over equivalent dose ranges and time courses, whereas, closely related compounds, stearamide and oleic acid, were essentially without effect. While the biologic actions of oleamide and oleoylglycine were equivalent, the two compounds differed dramatically with respect to their effects on serum levels of oleamide. Oleamide administration (80mg/kg) elevated blood-borne oleamide by eight-fold, whereas, the same dose of oleoylglycine had no effect on circulating oleamide levels. In addition, pretreatment with the established PAM inhibitor, disulfiram, produced modest reductions in the hypothermic responses to both oleoylglycine and oleamide, suggesting that the effects of disulfiram were not mediated through inhibition of PAM and a resulting decrease in the formation of oleamide from oleoylglycine. Collectively, these findings raise the possibilities that: (1) oleoylglycine possesses biologic activity that is independent of its conversion to oleamide and (2) the increased availability of oleoylglycine as a potential substrate does not drive the biosynthesis of oleamide.
Transforming Healthcare: Leveraging the Complementarities of Health Informatics and Systems Engineering

The healthcare system is facing several major quality challenges. In 2005, the Institute of Medicine published a report on how systems engineering and improvements in information technology can help address and solve some of these challenges. Systems engineering (SE) and health informatics (HI) have been undergoing advancements over the years. Health systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field that has grown to encompass the design, analysis, and management of complex health systems to improve quality and performance. HI is another interdisciplinary field around collection, storage, retrieval and analysis of data, reporting and enabling use of information, and (re)design and maintenance of systems to do all of these. SE and HI are complementary in their approach to identification of problems and solution procedure for (re)design and improvement. This combination has major implications for care delivery, research, and education to address the challenges.
Pressures on a cube embedded in a uniform roughness field of variable spacing density

Abstract It is well known that surrounding obstacles can alter the pressure cladding loads on low-rise structures exposed to strong winds. The present study examines some of these changes for a cube, surrounded by cubes of the same size for varying spacing densities. The changes in the pressure coefficients on the top and windward faces are reduced to dependency on spacing, wind direction, and location on the cube. Some simple comparisons are made with “exposure” adjustments suggested by one building code.
A preliminary biophysical model of the relationship between temperature and plant nutrients in the upper ocean

Abstract A biophysical model was constructed to examine the relationship between temperature increases and plant nutrient decreases (represented by nitrate) in an upper ocean mixed layer and in underlying 2 m thick strata throughout the remainder of the euphotic zone. The formulation combines the dual effect of solar radiation on the water column heat budget and on nitrate uptake based on photosynthesis to simulate field observations of the nitrate-temperature relationship. The present model examines how the predicted nitrate-temperature relationships respond to changes in available solar radiation, the thickness of the upper mixed layer, the optical water type and the changes in biological efficiency throughout the euphotic zone. Required improvements include a more realistic treatment of inter-layer mixing in the physical model and of the phytoplankton radiation utilization efficiency in the biological model. Future models can be combined with improved global data sets to yield realistic descriptions of how the latitudinal patterns of water column temperatures and plant nutrient concentrations are determined.
Culture, Class and Cognition: Evidence from Italy

East Asians have been found to reason in relatively holistic fashion and Americans in relatively analytic fashion. It has been proposed that these cognitive differences are the result of social practices that encourage interdependence for Asians and independence for Americans. If so, cognitive differences might be found even across regions that are geographically close. We compared performance on a categorization task of relatively interdependent southern Italians and relatively independent northern Italians and found the former to reason in a more holistic fashion than the latter. Furthermore, as it has been argued that working class social practices encourage interdependence and middle class practices encourage independence, we anticipated that working class participants might reason in a more holistic fashion than middle class participants. This is what we found – at least for southern Italy.
Now you See Him, Now you Don't, Now you Do Again: The Evolution of Raymond Carver's Minimalism

(1989). Now you See Him, Now you Don't, Now you Do Again: The Evolution of Raymond Carver's Minimalism. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 239-251.
Genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer disease

Abstract Alzheimer disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Less than a decade ago, it was questioned as to whether or not genes were even involved in anything but rare early onset AD. Since that time, using a variety of genetic epidemiological and molecular biological techniques, four loci have been identified that play a role in the genetic susceptibility of AD, AD presents as a prototype of the power of genetic techniques in defining the etiology of a complex disease.
SENSITIVITIES, ADJOINTS AND FLOW OPTIMIZATION

Several issues related to the calculation of flow sensitivities and the solution of flow optimization problems are considered. For the latter, one-shot Lagrange multiplier methods are presented, as well as sensitivity- and adjoint-based iterative algorithms. A sample application of each method to a specific flow optimization problem is provided. Then some difficulties associated with the practical implementation of the methods are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect of flow discontinuities on approximate sensitivities and adjoints. A discussion of these issues is given in the context of the Reimann problem for which exact information is known
The circular dichroism of synthetic ribonucleic acids and the influence of uracil on conformation.

We present CD spectra of four trinucleoside diphosphates, UpUpG, GpUpG, ApUpA, and ApUpG, of four single-stranded polymers, poly AC, poly GU, poly AU, and poly AdU, and of five double-stranded polymers, poly A:U, poly G:C, poly AU:AU, poly AdU:AdU, and poly GC:GC. The measured spectra are compared with empirical firstneighbor calculations. Our results, taken together with data from the literature, suggest that UpA and UpG sequences are relatively unstacked in a single-stranded RNA compared with these isolated dimers in solution. These sequences may influence the structure and function of natural RNAs. Our results on double-stranded RNAs indicate that the spectral changes which occur upon formation of a double helix are unique to the type of base pair involved and are relatively independent of sequence.
Pulmonary vein tumor thrombosis and left atrial extension in lung carcinoma

A case of lung carcinoma extending into left atrium through a pulmonary vein and mimicking left atrial myxoma is presented. The localized enlargement of a pulmonary vein is seen as a possible CT sign of pulmonary vein tumor thrombosis. Computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography are complementary in the correct diagnosis of this condition.
Spirit, place and psyche: Integral integration in d. h. lawrence's ‘the man who loved islands’

(1988). Spirit, place and psyche: Integral integration in d. h. lawrence's ‘the man who loved islands’. English Studies: Vol. 69, No. 2, pp. 158-162.
Spermiogenesis of Nautilus pompilius. I. General survey

Differentiation of the spermatids, from secondary spermatocytes to mature spermatozoa in the spermatophores, is described for Nautilus pompilius. Early in development the spermatids have large cytoplasmic bridges which connect groups of cells which remain linked even when the residual cytoplasm is shed. The nucleus undergoes considerable elongation and the nuclear envelope loses its cisterna except in the centriolar fossa and adjacent to the acrosome. Condensation of the chromatin involves formation of dense sheets which run parallel to the long axis of the nucleus and eventually fuse to make a uniformly dense structure. The mitochondria migrate to one pole of the secondary spermatocyte where they apparently fuse to make two large mitochondria which elongate and eventually lie in grooves the whole length of the cylindrical nucleus. The centrioles are composed of nine sets of doublet microtubules and both migrate into the centriolar fossa. A massive manchette is formed which has extensive cross linked microtubules. The acrosome appears to arise from part of the Golgi apparatus and is a complex conical structure at the apex of the mature spermatozoan. The residual cytoplasm is shed by fusion of vesicles apparently derived from the nuclear envelope. Massive amounts of glycogen appear around the head in late spermiogenesis. Proximally, the flagellum has a sheath outside the microtubules which distally breaks up into nine coarse accessory fibers and further distally disappears. Nautilus sperm morphology is compared with the ultrastructure of other cephalopod spermatozoa and it is speculated that the differences found are greater than might be expected if the mechanisms of sperm transfer and fertilization were the only controlling forces determining the evolution of spermatozoan ultrastructure.
Science, reason and value

There is a relatively simple argument which shows that science is not, in any important sense, value free. Further, if science is not value free, it may be that the values involved in science rest upon moral considerations. In this paper the author examines one argument for the claim that science essentially involves value, and then looks at the types of values which may be an essential facet of scientific inquiry.
Comparative studies of cytochrome c redox reactions by photochemical lamellar preparations obtained from blue-green, red, and green algae, and spinach chloroplasts

Abstract Sonic-treated lamellar preparations of Anabaena cylindrica, Anacystis nidulans, Porphyridium cruentum, Chlamydomonas reinhardi , and spinach chloroplasts were active in cytochrome c redox reactions, though they lost Hill reaction activity. All preparations gave the same anaerobic redox reactions: cytochrome c was oxidized in the light and reduced to the original redox level in the subsequent dark period. Buffer extracts obtained from the acetone-treated preparations of all organisms tested had the same heat-stable factor with activity for stimulating the anaerobic redox reactions by Anabaena -extracted preparations. Results were taken as evidence that occurrence of a large amount of redox substance (CRS) at system 1 level is a common feature of the photosynthetic systems in these organisms.
Carboxyl Methylation of Deamidated Calmodulin Increases Its Stability in Xenopus Oocyte Cytoplasm IMPLICATIONS FOR PROTEIN REPAIR

The widely distributed protein-L-isoaspartate(D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase (PIMT; EC 2.1.1.77) is postulated to play a role in the repair or metabolism of damaged cellular proteins containing L-isoaspartyl residues derived primarily from the spontaneous deamidation of protein asparaginyl residues. To evaluate the functional consequence of PIMT-catalyzed methylation on the stability of isoaspartyl-containing proteins in cells, Xenopus laevis oocytes were microinjected with both deamidated and nondeamidated forms of recombinant chicken calmodulin (CaM) containing a hemagglutinin (HA) epitope at its N terminus. Processing of HA-CaM was monitored by electrophoretic analysis and Western blotting of oocyte extracts. The experiments indicate that deamidated HA-CaM is degraded after microinjection, while nondeamidated HA-CaM is stable. Kinetic analysis is consistent with the entry of microinjected HA-CaM into two intracellular pools with distinct hydrolytic stabilities. The larger, more stable pool may consist of HA-CaM bound to the heterogeneous pool of oocyte CaM binding proteins detected by an overlay procedure. Enzymatic methylation of deamidated HA-CaM with purified PIMT prior to injection results in its stabilization. Conversely, inhibition of endogenous oocyte PIMT with sinefungin, a nonhydrolyzable analog of S-adenosylhomocysteine, increases the rate of deamidated HA-CaM degradation. These results are consistent with a role for PIMT-catalyzed methylation in the repair of damaged cellular proteins.
Neutron-proton elastic scattering from 5 to 30 GeV/c

Abstract The differential cross section for neutron-proton elastic scattering was measured in the diffraction region with incident neutron momenta between 5 and 30 GeV/ c . The experiment was an optical-spark-chamber-counter experiment conducted at the Brookhaven National Laboratory alternating gradient synchrotron. A well collimated neutron beam with a broad energy spectrum was incident on a liquid hydrogen target. The scattered neutrons were detected in a thick-plate spark-chamber array while the recoil protons were detected and momentum analyzed in a magnetic spectrometer with thin-foil spark chambers. The results indicate that the neutron-proton cross sections are very similar to but not identical with the proton-proton cross sections. The diffraction peak in the neutron-proton system does show shrinkage with increasing incident momentum but exhibits no auxiliary structure.
Analytic determination of the transient response of a thin-wire antenna based upon an SEM representation

Based upon an analytical expression for the frequency-domain current induced on a thin-wire antenna, a theory for determining the singular expansion method (SEM) representation of the transient response of an unloaded transmitting as well as a receiving antenna is presented. An analytical expression for the SEM poles is derived, and the explicit expressions for the associated coefficients, natural mode current, and coupling coefficient, are uncovered. A theoretical explanation for some of the physical processes related to the SEM representation of the transient current on a thin-wire antenna is also provided. Excellent agreement with the numerical results for both the transmitting and receiving antennas is obtained.
Long-term developmental outcomes of children identified through a newborn screening program with a metabolic or endocrine disorder: a population-based approach.

Abstract Objective To conduct surveillance of the developmental status of children who screen positive and are diagnosed with a metabolic or endocrine disorder. Study design The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked three data sources in Georgia: (1) Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP), (2) Special Education Database of Metropolitan Atlanta (SEDMA), and (3) State of Georgia Newborn Blood-Spot Screening Program (NBSP). Results When MADDSP and NBSP were linked (birth cohorts 1981-1991), of an estimated 147 infants who screened positive for a metabolic or endocrine disorder and were at risk for mental retardation if left untreated, only three children were identified with mental retardation. When SEDMA and NBSP were linked (birth cohorts 1981-1995), of an estimated 216 children who screened positive for a metabolic or endocrine disorder, nine children were identified as having a developmental disability less severe than mental retardation, eg, speech and language impairments. Conclusions Although children found in MADDSP or SEDMA have a low occurrence of developmental disabilities attributable to these metabolic or endocrine disorders, our finding of cases of developmental disabilities of varying severity attributable to a metabolic or endocrine disorder suggests a need for ongoing population-based monitoring of the long-term developmental outcomes of children identified through newborn screening programs.
Evaluation of coronary collateral development by regional myocardial function and reactive hyperaemia

The development of collateral vessels was induced by repeated brief left circumflex coronary artery occlusions in 11 conscious dogs. Subendocardial segment shortening in the central ischaemic area and the ischaemic marginal area and transmural wall thickening in the centre of the ischaemic area were measured together with circumflex coronary flow. Changes in regional myocardial function and reactive hyperaemia were determined daily. The rate of recovery of myocardial function after collateralisation was almost identical in both regions. Before myocardial contractility was restored reactive hyperaemia was greatly attenuated. These data strongly suggest that collateral flow is distributed uniformly over the ischaemic bed and that substantial areas of myocardial tissue at risk are salvaged from ischaemia as a result of effective collateral circulation.
The backlash against bioequivalence and the interchangeability of brand-name and generic drugs

See related research article by Tsadok and colleagues at [www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.101800][1] and synopsis on page 1371; see also practice article by Mackenzie and colleagues on page [1393][2] and at [www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.100351][3]. As recently as the 1960s, it was
Seismic Protection of Bridge Structures Using Shape Memory Alloy-Based Isolation Devices

This study compares the performance of two smart isolation systems that utilize superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs) for seismic protection of isolated bridges during strong earthquakes. The first isolation system is an SMA/rubber-based (SRB) isolation system and consists of a laminated rubber bearing that decouples the superstructure from the bridge piers and an SMA device that provides additional energy dissipation and re-centering capacity. The second isolation system, named as superelastic-friction base isolator (S-FBI), combines the superelastic SMAs with a flat steel-Teflon bearing rather than a laminated rubber bearing. Seismic energy equations of a bridge structure with SMA-based isolation systems are established by absolute and relative energy balance formulations. Nonlinear time history analyses are performed in order to assess the effectiveness of the isolation systems and compare their performance. The program RspMatch2005 is employed to generate spectrum compatible ground motions that are used in dynamic time history analyses of the isolated bridge. The results indicate that SRB isolation system produces higher seismic input energy, recoverable energy and base shears as compared to the S-FBI system. Also, it is shown that combining superelastic SMAs with a sliding bearing rather than rubber bearing significantly reduce the amount of the required SMA material.
A rapid enzyme‐linked assay for ADAMTS‐13

Summary. Background: A deficiency in the plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS-13 is associated with deposition of microvascular thrombi that cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Current assays for ADAMTS-13 are technically complex and time-consuming. The objective of this study is to devise a rapid and sensitive assay for ADAMTS-13 activity in plasma and verify the site of cleavage. Method: A new enzyme-linked substrate, which contains a core ADAMTS-13-specific peptide conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at the N-terminus, and labeled with biotin at the C-terminus, was constructed. After cleavage of this substrate by plasma ADAMTS-13 and removal of uncleaved substrate by adsorption with streptavidin–agarose, ADAMTS-13 activity was quantitated by determining the unadsorbed HRP activity remaining in solution. Levels of inhibitory antibodies in test plasma were also determined by measuring the residual ADAMTS-13 activity after varying amounts of test plasma were incubated with a known amount of ADAMTS-13. Results: Plasma ADAMTS-13 activity was readily determined in ∼60 min (coefficient of variation 5.8%) using 1 μL of test plasma. Amino acid sequencing of the cleavage product confirmed that cleavage occurred at the Tyr1605-Met1606 bond in the substrate. ADAMTS-13 activities in the plasma of five TTP patients were below 2%. Inhibitory antibody titers in these samples varied from undetectable to 81 BU mL−1. Conclusion: The HRP-linked substrate provides a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible way of determining the levels of ADAMTS-13 activity and inhibitory antibodies in plasma.
The distribution and deposition of particles suspended between parallel plane surfaces

Abstract A complete series solution is derived for the distribution and deposition of particles which are diffusing and settling in a stationary fluid between two horizontal plane surfaces after being uniformly distributed. Explicit expressions suitable for the entire range of computation are given as functions of two quantities: (a) a dimensionless parameter which is the diffusion coefficient divided by the product of the settling velocity and plane separation and (b) a dimensionless time variable which is the ratio of distance of fall to plane separation. Numerical results show that it is better, as well as simpler, to approximate deposition by the larger of the two separate effects for pure diffusion and for pure settling than by combining them as if they were independent probabilities which is the usual procedure.
Glycosylated recombinant human XCL1/lymphotactin exhibits enhanced biologic activity

Chemokines are a family of small, secreted chemoattractant cytokines that regulate distribution and function of leukocytes during immune responses. While most chemokines are members of the CC or CXC subgroups, XCL1, also known as lymphotactin, is the sole member of the C subgroup. XCL1 is produced by activated CD8(+) T cells, NK cells, gammadelta T cells, and mast cells. XCL1 differs from other chemokines in that it contains only a single disulfide bond and a mucin-like domain at its carboxy terminus that is glycosylated. Understanding the biologic functions of chemokines has largely depended upon expression of these recombinant molecules in E. coli. To examine the effects of glycosylation on the biologic activity of XCL1, we designed constructs for expression of human XCL1 in insect S2 cells. Comparison of this material with that expressed in E. coli reveals that glycosylation significantly increases the biologic activity of XCL1.
Verification of a 3-D LiDAR Viewer for Discontinuity Orientations

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanners are increasingly being used to measure discontinuity orientations on rock cuts to eliminate the bias and hazards of manual measurements which are also time consuming and somewhat subjective. Typically LiDAR data sets (point clouds) are analyzed by sophisticated algorithms that break down when conditions are not ideal, for example when some of the discontinuities are obscured by vegetation, or when significant portions of the rock face are composed of fractured facets, weathering generated surfaces, or anything that should not be identified as a discontinuity for the purposes of slope stability analysis. This paper presents a simple LiDAR point cloud viewer that allows the user to view the point cloud, identify discontinuities, pick three points on the surface (plane) of each discontinuity, and generate discontinuity orientations using the three-point method. Additionally, a test of our 3-D LiDAR viewer for discontinuity orientations on rock cuts in the United States of America and Canada is presented.
Educating/retraining serialists for change

Summary Changes in libraries and the need to improve staff skills make it necessary for librarians to develop and maintain practical skills training programs. An overview of the planning of training programs is provided. Included are the five primary steps of successful training programs: assessment, planning, selecting methods, using principles of adult learning, and evaluation. A real-life example from the University of Southern California is described.
Acute glycemic and blood lipid response to the ingestion of a candy bar–like protein supplement compared with its candy bar counterpart

Candy bar–like protein supplements are sometimes consumed for their sugar alcohol content, which lowers the glycemic response. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute glycemic and bloo...
Oblique slip, slip partitioning, spatial and temporal changes in the regional stress field, and the relative strength of active faults in the Basin and Range, western United States

When viewed with stress transformation laws and an idealized physical model, observations of oblique slip and slip partitioning in the Basin and Range (western United States) are interpreted to show that (1) separate regions with the same net extension direction are not necessarily characterized by the same regional stress field, (2) fault systems exhibiting partitioning where one of the faults is near vertical generally do not require temporal changes in the stress field to explain the disparate slip vectors on the adjacent faults, and (3) the relative strengths of active fault zones may vary by more than an order of magnitude.
Microcomputer interface board based multiple overcurrent relays

Abstract Microprocessor based single and multiple definite-time overcurrent relays have been reported in literature. This paper shows that a microcomputer interfaced with an independently operating overcurrent relay system can implement up to 1024 definite-time overcurrent relays as well as perform additional tasks. Unlike other approaches previously suggested in literature, the proposed system is capable of implementing hundreds of overcurrent relays from a central location with a minimum amount of hardware. The system consists of a personal computer and several monitor and control interface boards. Each interface board is built around four off the shelf Medium Scale Integrated (MSI) chips and is supported by an efficient interrupt driven algorithm.
Mechanism of Function of the Mitral Valve Leaflets, Chordae Tendineae and Left Ventricular Papillary Muscles in Dogs

In five dogs (18 to 28 kg) under pentobarbital anesthesia metal clips were placed on the free margin of the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflets, and on the epicardial surface of the left ventricle at the apex and at the base. After full recovery cineangiograms were taken in the right anterior oblique and right lateral position and the length from the apex of the left ventricle to the free margins of the mitral valve leaflet was measured. The average distance between the apex and the free margin of the anterior leaflet in two dogs and on a clip placed on the chordae tendineae above the anterior leaflet in two dogs was the same during slow ventricular filling, atrial systole, and during ventricular ejection. The average distance between the apex and the free margin of the posterior leaflet in three dogs was also the same during the same time periods in the cardiac cycle. The maintenance of the same distance between the free margin of the mitral valve leaflet and the apex during diastole when the papillary muscle is relaxed and during systole when it is contracted suggests that the papillary muscle contracts isometrically.
Linker histones stabilize the intrinsic salt-dependent folding of nucleosomal arrays: mechanistic ramifications for higher-order chromatin folding.

Defined nucleosomal arrays reconstituted from core histone octamers and twelve 208 bp tandem repeats of Lytechinus 5S rDNA (208-12 nucleosomal arrays) possess the ability to form an unstable folded species in MgCl2 whose extent of compaction equals that of canonical higher-order 30 nm diameter chromatin structures [Schwarz, P. M., and Hansen, J. C. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 16284−16289]. To address the mechanistic functions of linker histones in chromatin condensation, purified histone H5 has been assembled with 208-12 nucleosomal arrays in 50 mM NaCl. Novel purification procedures subsequently were developed that yielded preparations of 208-12 chromatin model systems in which a majority of the sample contained both one histone octamer per 5S rDNA repeat and one molecule of histone H5 per histone octamer. The integrity of the purified 208-12 chromatin has been extensively characterized under low-salt conditions using analytical ultracentrifugation, quantitative agarose gel electrophoresis, electron cryom...
RREB1 repressed miR-143/145 modulates KRAS signaling through downregulation of multiple targets

A lack of expression of miR-143 and miR-145 has been demonstrated to be a frequent feature of colorectal tumors. Activating KRAS mutations have been reported in 30-60% of colorectal cancers and an inverse correlation between Kras and miR-143/145 expression has been observed. Previously, we have demonstrated that oncogenic Kras leads to repression of the miR-143/145 cluster in pancreatic cancer and is dependent on the Ras responsive element (RRE) binding protein (RREB1), which negatively regulates miR-143/145 expression. In the present study, we have found that RREB1 is overexpressed in colorectal adenocarcinoma tumors and cell lines, and the expression of the miR-143/145 primary transcript is inversely related to RREB1 expression. In colorectal cancer cell lines, the miR-143/145 cluster is repressed by RREB1 downstream of constitutively active KRAS. RREB1 is activated by the MAPK pathway and negatively represses the miR-143/145 promoter through interaction with two RREs. In addition, overexpression of miR-143 or miR-145 in HCT116 cells abrogates signaling through the MAPK, PI3K and JNK pathways by downregulation of both KRAS and RREB1 in addition to downregulation of a cohort of genes in the MAPK signaling cascade. These results establish a complex network of regulation through which the miR-143/145 cluster is able to modulate KRAS signaling in colorectal cancer.
An usual cause of progressive hair loss.

A 42-year-old man presented to the emergency department(ED) with progressive hair loss. He had no medical prob-lems, and did not take any medications. He was homo-sexual with multiple partners, and he denied alcohol orillicit drug use. He reported having had a penile lesion4 months prior, which was painless and resolved on itsown. The vital signs were normal. The physical examina-tion revealed a patchy distribution of hair loss over hisentire scalp (Fig. 1), without broken hairs or signs ofexcoriation or irritation.DiscussionAcute onset hair loss is a relatively uncommon presentationin the ED. It is a phenomenon with a multitude of potentialetiologies that range in severity from the innocuous to lifethreatening. These include several endocrine disorders,autoimmune disease, fungal and bacterial infections, self-induced trichotillomania, chemical mistreatment of hair, amedication related side effect, and far more, rare anddangerous poisoning and radiation exposure.Though the differential diagnosis is broad, an assess-ment of patients’ medical history, along with their symp-toms and signs, may help clinicians narrow the list ofpossible etiologies. Alopecia associated with radiationexposure or poisoning with a compound like thallium, forexample, will also be associated with acute gastrointestinaltoxicity, muscle weakness, and altered mental status.Chemotherapy related hair loss has an estimated incidenceof 65%, and is associated with particular cytotoxic agentsincluding paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide,to name just a few [1]. Tineacapitus, a fungal infection ofthe hair shafts or cuticles, will lead to brittle hair prone tobreakage. Similarly, tricotillomania may be identiﬁed by anexamination of the hair and scalp that may demonstratebroken hairs of various lengths or torn away follicles withexudates or hemorrhage. Alopecia areata is deﬁned assudden onset, well demarcated, localized hair loss, usuallyon the scalp. If this pattern of hair loss is observed, labo-ratory evaluation is warranted as this entity is associatedwith several thyroid and autoimmune disorders [2].The patient illustrated in the photograph, however, had apeculiar moth-eaten pattern of hair loss that did not fall intoone of the categories of disorders already discussed. Uponlearning of the patient’s sexual history, however, a rapidplasma regain (RPR) was ordered with conﬁrmatory trep-onemal antibody testing—both of which proved reactive.The patient was called back to the ED for treatment, oncethe results became available.DiagnosisAlopecia syphilitica. The ﬁrst reported case of syphilisoccurred in the year 1494 in Naples, Italy, and was sub-sequently called the Great Pox as the infection spreadthroughout Europe over the following decades [3]. After aprecipitous decline in incidence with the discovery ofpenicillin, there has been a re-emergence of syphilis amongindividuals of all sexual orientations [4].The spiral-shaped bacteria Treponemapallidum inocu-lates an individual through mucosal surfaces or abradedskin. Primary syphilis represents localized replication, andmanifests itself as a painless, ulcerated lesion, 9–90 days
An inducible hydrogenase in cyanobacteria enhances N2 fixation

Nz-Fixing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) Nostoc muscorum and dnabaena cylindrica have been reported to contain hydrogenase activity [ 1,2] . In a recent study from this laboratory it was found that e this activity is present both in heterocysts and vegetative cells of aerobically-grown cultures of both species [3,4]. However, it is not known whether the hydrogenase activity in these organisms is inducible. In the earlier studies of Fujita et al. [2] activity was obtained only after activation, similar to activation of hydrogenase activity that has been reported in green algae (cf. Kessler [S]) which occurs after incubation for several hours under Hz gas. Induction of Hz-uptake activity has also been reported in chemolitotrophic bacteria by Canevascini and Eberhardt [6]. Various Na-fixing bacteria also possess Hz-uptake activity [7,8] and a link between hydrogenase and nitrogenase activity was suggested by Dixon [8] which has received further emphasis in a recent analysis of Hz production in various Ns-fixing organisms by Schubert and Evans [9]. Furthermore, Smith et al. [lo] and Bothe et al. [l I] have reported that hydrogenase can recycle Hz gas lost by nitrogenase . In the present investigation two questions have been examined: first, whether hydrogenase in N. muscorum and A. cylindrica is an inducible enzyme and, secondly, whether there is a cooperativity between the uptake of Hz catalyzed by hydrogenase and the rate and efficiency of N*-uptake catalyzed by nitrogenase in aerobically and Hz-grown cultures of these microorganisms.
The influence of inositol hexaphosphate on the reduction of isolated methemoglobin subunits and reconstituted molecules.

Summary Enzymatic reduction of α and β methemoglobin subunits was studied both in the isolated and tetrameric (reconstituted) forms. It is shown that the isolated forms are more accessible to reduction. The reduction rates of the subunits in the tetrameric form approaches those of the isolated forms only in the presence of IHP. However, the ratio of reduction rates of β/α is greater in the tetrameric molecule than in the isolated subunits (5 fold (−IHP), 7 fold (+IHP) versus 3 fold-isolated subunits) implying a greater IHP effect on the reduction of β subunits. IHP does not affect the reduction rates of isolated subunits indicating that participation of quaternary structure is necessary for this effect.
End posture selection in manual positioning: evidence for feedforward modeling based on a movement choice method

Although it is well known that the postures adopted at the ends of movements depend on where one starts and how one moves, it is not yet clear whether those differing end postures are selected before movements begin. Two experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that end postures for positioning movements are chosen before movements commence. The experiments were further designed to check whether movements are internally simulated before overt movements occur and end-postures are still being selected. To address these questions we used a movement choice method. Participants were presented with two possible end postures and were asked to choose between them by moving to the one that seemed easier to adopt. End-posture choices were affected by starting positions and also by the movements that would have to be made, as affected by having obstacles in the way. The results suggest that participants relied on feedforward modeling of prospective movements as they selected end postures prior to overt movement production. The fact that the movement choice method could confirm this suggests that the method holds considerable promise as a tool for investigating motor planning.
Ethanol-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in a mouse model for binge drinking: role of Ro15-4513-sensitive gamma aminobutyric acid receptors, tolerance, and relevance to humans.

Abstract A mouse model for binge drinking has been developed in this laboratory, and several aspects of this model have been characterized. Many of the immunosuppressive effects of ethanol (EtOH) in this model seem to be mediated by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and consequent increases in the concentration of glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and perhaps other immunosuppressive mediators. The purpose of the work described here is to examine three important issues regarding the EtOH-induced neuroendocrine response in this model: 1) Are Ro15-4513-sensitive gamma aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptors involved in activation of the HPA axis by EtOH? 2) Does daily administration of EtOH produce tolerance with regard to activation of the HPA axis or with regard to suppression of natural killer cell activity? 3) Is the HPA axis activated by similar blood EtOH concentrations in humans and in the mouse model? Ro15-4513, a partial inverse agonist of GABA-A receptors, did not affect EtOH-induced increases in blood corticosterone levels. This suggests that Ro15-4513-sensitive GABA-A receptors are not involved in EtOH-induced activation of the HPA axis and that inhibition of corticosterone production is not the mechanism by which Ro-15-4513 blocks EtOH-induced immunosuppression. To evaluate tolerance, mice were given a daily dose of EtOH (6.5 g/kg by gavage) or vehicle (water) for 10 days. Control groups received vehicle or EtOH only on the last day of the experiment. At the optimum time after EtOH administration serum corticosterone and splenic NK cell activity were measured. The results indicate no significant alterations in the response to EtOH of mice exposed to EtOH for 10 days compared to those exposed only once. To compare the HPA axis response of mice and humans, lower EtOH dosages than generally used in our model were administered to mice, and the corticosterone response was compared to published data for humans who had similar ranges of blood EtOH levels. The results suggest that humans and mice exhibit activation of the HPA axis only when blood EtOH levels exceed ~0.14%. Together these results further characterize a mouse model for binge drinking that seems to provide a reasonable representation of many aspects of binge drinking in humans.
Effect of crown ether on ion currents through synthetic membranes containing a single conically shaped nanopore.

Ion-current measurements were made on synthetic polymer membranes that contained a single conically shaped nanopore. This entailed placing an electrolyte solution on either side of the membrane, using an electrode placed in each solution to control the transmembrane potential, and measuring the resulting transmembrane ion current. The effect of the crown ether commonly called 18-crown-6 (18C6) on the measured ion current was investigated. Adding 18C6 to the electrolyte solution on one side of a conical nanopore membrane provides a way to rectify the ion current flowing through the nanopore. This chemical rectification is observed only when the cation of the electrolyte is complexed by 18C6 (e.g., K+), and when the mouth diameter of the conical nanopore is of molecular dimensions, in this case ∼1.5 nm. This chemical rectification can either augment or diminish the inherent electrostatic rectification observed with these small mouth-diameter nanopores. We have interpreted these results using a model based o...
Communications: DBMS Metaphor for Meta‐information Systems

Conceptual integration of existing information systems provides an alternative way of approaching a kind of metasystem, namely, meta‐information systems. Since various external views can be generated from the same set of information systems for different information needs, a DBMS (database management systems) metaphor is a useful approach.
Microbial functions in space: Mars transit to early planetary base exploration missions

Abstract Microbial processing of liquid and solid wastes may play a role in the advanced life support systems of nearer term human exploration missions such as transit vehicles to Mars or initial surface bases on either the Moon or Mars. Recycling wastewater (urine, atmospheric condensate, hygiene water) is a critical component of reducing storage and resupply requirements on such missions, and microbial treatment of all or part of the waste stream may improve overall treatment efficiency. As small-scale plant systems (i.e., 5– 10 m 2 person - 1 ) are used to supplement food storage, microbial processing of both wastewater and edible plant material will facilitate nutrient and water recycling through the biomass production systems.
Electronic structure of artificial atoms in intense AC terahertz and strong magnetic fields

Abstract We discuss the combined effect of intense AC terahertz and a strong static magnetic field on interacting electrons in mesoscopic systems. The main nonperturbative effect of the intense AC field is symmetry breaking and associated phase transitions in correlated electronic systems “dressed” with photons. These processes are controlled by the polarization and intensity of the radiation. Exact results for quasi-two-dimensional electrons and parabolic quantum dots are given in the form of a Kohn's theorem generalized to arbitrary field strength and shape. Numerical results for a few-electron quantum dot in a strong magnetic field illustrate the general approach.
Doping induced design considerations for InP/In0.53Ga0.47As heterojunction bipolar transistors

Abstract Physics and technological advantages underlying some doping induced design criteria of InP/In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As HBTs have been discussed. Attention has been paid to parameters such as doping in the base region, base resistance versus doping dependent base region grading, the emitter–base junction design, and the recombination at the external base region. The dependence of built-in electric field in the base region on the nature of doping has been elucidated.
Analysis of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides using high-pressure liquid column chromatography.

Abstract Conditions for the separation of some mononucleotides, dinucleotides, nucleoside diphosphates and deoxymononucleotides on a pellicular anion-exchange column are described. These chromatographic systems allow quantification and identification of nucleotide materials in nanomole quantities and can be achieved within 100 min. The applicability of the present systems to the analysis of base composition of polynucleotides has been demonstrated by analyzing some oligonucleotides of known structure.
Detailed deletion analysis of sporadic breast tumors defines an interstitial region of allelic loss on l7q25

Whole genome analyses of breast tumors with polymorphic markers have detected nonrandom loss of heterozygosity on multiple chromosomes, providing clues to the locations of suspected tumor suppressor genes. Tumors are thought to initiate, progress, and metastasize as mutations accumulate in multiple growth-regulatory genes; thus, identification and characterization of these genes are critical to understanding and controlling breast tumorigenesis. To map more precisely a novel breast tumor suppressor gene that has been localized previously to distal 17q, we constructed a detailed deletion map of 17q25 by analyzing eight microsatellite markers on 39 sporadic primary breast tumors. The smallest overlapping region of interstitial loss was narrowed to approximately 3 cM and included D17S937/AFM107ye3, which showed the highest percentage of allelic loss (41%). These results provide a framework from which a genomic contig will be constructed and candidate transcripts will be analyzed.
Adapting games from literature: game verbs for player behavior

This case study outlines a methodology for adapting digital games from literature. The process maps key narrative events to human computer interactions via game verbs. Game verbs are distinct player actions that help the player accomplish their in-game goal. Through the use of tightly coupled narrative events and game verbs, the game engenders the spirit of Edgar Allen Poe's short story The Tell Tale Heart. Like the story's protagonist, players move from controlled actions to erratic behavior as they manipulate their device. Players are required to propel the narrative through accelerometer and touch-based actions. The resulting game's physicality is designed to match the narrative's drive toward madness.
Bioavailability study of Theo-dur tablets in the fasted cannulated dog

Abstract The present study uses the cannulated dog to verify the major elements of gastrointestinal (GI) motility affecting the performance of oral sustained release dosage forms. It appears that the residence time of a Theo-dur tablet in the fasted canine stomach and small intestine is dictated by the phasic activity of the motility pattern at the time of ingestion. The tablet does not disintegrate in vivo but undergoes surface erosion. Onset of tablet discharge corresponded with late phase II and phase III activity. The discharged eroded tablet was entrapped within mucus plugs. Mucus may play a significant role in the dissolution of administered tablets. There is little variability in the duodenal and ileal effluent pH, observed after onset of Theo-dur tablet discharge.
Defect Centers in Gamma‐Irradiated Single‐Crystal Al2O3

The γ-irradiation-induced optical absorption spectra of annealed Al2O3 single crystals were analyzed. The samples were beat-treated in O2 or vacuum from 1600° to 1800°C. Four absorption bands are reported with average peak positions at 3.4,4.8,5.5, and 6.6 eV for samples annealed in O2 at ≥ 1750°C. Vacuum anneals up to 1800°C and O2 anneals at 6.6 eV. The radiation-induced change in the absorption spectra is reported and the defect centers responsible for the measured optical absorption bands are discussed with respect to the aliovalent impurities in the host lattice. Special attention is given to the role of the Fe3+ impurity ion.