cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capillary electrophoresis of acidic oligosaccharides from human milk.

Interest in defining the array of oligosaccharides of human milk has been increasing. Pathogens that bind glycans on their host mucosal surfaces may be inhibited by human milk oligosaccharides. It has been postulated that acidic oligosaccharides in human milk may inhibit binding by pathogens that bind acidic glycans in the gut, but testing this hypothesis requires their reliable quantification in milk. Sialyloligosaccharides of human milk have been quantified by HPLC and CE. A recent CE technique uses the MEKC mode with direct detection at 205 nm to resolve and quantify, in the native form, the 12 most dominant sialyloligosaccharides of human milk in a single 35-min run. The method gives a linear response from 39 to 2500 μg/mL with a coefficient of variation between 2 to 9% and accuracy from 93 to 109%. This was used to detect variation in expression of specific sialyloligosaccharides in milk. Individual sialyloligosaccharide concentrations in milk differ among individual donors and between less and more mature milk. Thus, CE can be used to measure variation in sialyloligosaccharide expression in milk, and thereby test the relationship of this variation-to-variation in risk of specific diseases in breastfed infants.
Stress and genital herpes recurrences in women.

BackgroundResults of several studies suggest that psychological stress and negative mood can trigger genital herpes recurrences, but results are inconsistent.ObjectiveTo determine whether short-term or persistent psychological stress or specific negative moods are predictive of genital herpes recurrences in women.MethodsA prospective cohort study followed up participants for 6 months using weekly assessments of stress and mood, monthly assessments of life change events, and diary reports of genital herpes recurrences confirmed by medical examination when feasible. The community sample consisted of 58 women, aged 20 to 44 years, with a 1- to 10-year history of visible genital herpes recurrence and at least 1 recurrence in the previous 6 months.ResultsPersistent stress predicted recurrence in the subsequent week (odds ratio, 1.08 per unit increase in stress; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.15; P = 03. After adjusting for recurrence in the previous week, the more weekly persistent stress reported, the greater the likelihood of recurrence the following week. Also, an increased recurrence rate occurred after the month during which participants experienced their highest levels of anxiety (P = 03). There were no significant associations between recurrence and short-term stress, life events, depressive mood, anger, or phase of menstrual cycle.ConclusionsPersistent stressors and highest level of anxiety predicted genital herpes recurrence, whereas transient mood states, short-term stressors, and life change events did not. Women with herpes can be reassured that short-term stressful life experiences and dysphoric mood states do not put them at risk for increased outbreaks of recurrent genital herpes.
Comparative efficacy of four commercially available heartworm preventive products against the MP3 laboratory strain of Dirofilaria immitis

A controlled laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of four commercial products administered as a single treatment for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis in dogs. Forty-four commercially sourced Beagle dogs, 6-7 months of age, were received at the test site (Auburn University, Department of Pathobiology) on Study Day (SD) -72 to begin acclimation. On SD -30, each dog was inoculated subcutaneously with 100 infective, third-stage D. immitis larvae (MP3 strain, TRS Laboratories, Inc., Athens, GA). On SD -1, 40 dogs weighing 18.2-25.3 lbs were ranked by decreasing body weight and randomized to five groups of eight dogs each. On SD 0, the dogs assigned to Group 1 were treated orally with ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate chewable tablets, Group 2 dogs were treated orally with milbemycin oxime flavored tablets, Group 3 dogs were treated with selamectin topical solution, and Group 4 dogs were treated with imidacloprid/moxidectin topical solution. Group 5 dogs remained nontreated. Dosages for dogs in Groups 1-4 were based on the individual body weight of each dog and current labeled dose banding for each commercial product. All dogs were fasted overnight prior to treatment. Food was returned four hours after treatment. Animals were observed for abnormal clinical signs involving eyes, feces, respiration, behavioral attitude, locomotion/musculature, or skin conditions at prescribed intervals immediately after treatment and at twice daily intervals thereafter. On SD 90, whole blood was collected and tested for adult heartworm antigen. On SDs 119/120, the dogs were euthanized and subjected to necropsy examination for recovery of adult D. immitis and/or worm fragments. At necropsy, all 8 dogs in the nontreated group were infected with adult D. immitis (34-70 worms/dog, geometric mean (GM)=51.6 worms/dog). One or more adult D. immitis and/or worm fragments were recovered from 7 of 8 of the dogs each in Groups 1-3 (87.5% were heartworm positive). The respective GM worm burdens/dog for Groups 1-3 was 2.3, 2.4, and 2.3 which resulted in 95.6, 95.4 and 95.5% efficacy, respectively. No worms were recovered from any of the 8 dogs in Group 4 resulting in 100% efficacy.
Sphingomyelin interfacial behavior: the impact of changing acyl chain composition.

Sphingomyelins (SMs) containing homogeneous acyl chains with 12, 14, 16, 18, 24, or 26 carbons were synthesized and characterized using an automated Langmuir-type film balance. Surface pressure was monitored as a function of lipid molecular area at constant temperatures between 10 degrees C and 30 degrees C. SM containing lauroyl (12:0) acyl chains displayed only liquid-expanded behavior. Increasing the length of the saturated acyl chain (e.g., 14:0, 16:0, or 18:0) resulted in liquid-expanded to condensed two-dimensional phase transitions at many temperatures in the 10-30 degrees C range. Similar behavior was observed for SMs with lignoceroyl (24:0) or (cerotoyl) 26:0 acyl chains, but isotherms showed only condensed behavior at 10 and 15 degrees C. Insights into the physico-mechanical in-plane interactions occurring within the different SM phases and accompanying changes in SM phase state were provided by analyzing the interfacial area compressibility moduli. At similar surface pressures, SM fluid phases were less compressible than those of phosphatidylcholines with similar chain structures. The area per molecule and compressibility of SM condensed phases depended upon the length of the saturated acyl chain and upon spreading temperature. Spreading of SMs with very long saturated acyl chains at temperatures 30-35 degrees below T(m) resulted in condensed films with lower in-plane compressibilities, but consistently larger cross-sectional molecular areas than the condensed phases achieved by spreading at temperatures only 10-20 degrees below T(m). This behavior is discussed in terms of the enhancement of SM lateral aggregation by temperature reduction, a common approach used during domain isolation from biomembranes.
Strategic options in re-engineering of a manufacturing system with uncertain completion time

Re-engineering of an extant manufacturing process entails dynamic engineering decisions and continuous value build-up with a high degree of uncertainty in completion time. Due to such uncertainty, the underlying project often times cannot reach its design target in time. Therefore, upon updated assessment of remaining time to completion, the manager of the re-engineering project may opt to either continue or stop the project. A pre-determined terminal payoff can be realized if the project is completed as planned, while partial payoff can be salvaged if the project is stopped short. In this paper, we address such strategic options in re-engineering of a manufacturing system with reference to a realistic manufacturing application. We formulate the strategic engineering option problem (SEOP) by an optimal stopping model with an objective of maximizing expected total profit. We show that the optimal policy for SEOP is either a bang-bang control or a two-band control, depending on the nature of the underlying value build-up process. The managerial implications of such optimal policy and their applications are reported. The solution for an optimal option policy translates to a second-order free-boundary problem (SEOP-FB) which in general renders no closed-form analytical solutions. Numerical tests with real data are conducted.
FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF SWEET POTATO PUREE AS INDICATORS OF DEHYDRATED FLAKE QUALITY

Mouthfeel attributes of dehydrated sweet potato flakes can be predicted by viscometric analysis of puree. Georgia Red, Red Jewel and Rose Centennial were stored at 15°C, 95% RH for 0, 7, 14 and 47 days to insure varying degrees of starch conversion. The flow behavior of the pureed cultivars was analyzed to yield a suitable flow model and apparent viscosity at selected shear rates. The remaining puree was double drum dehydrated and the resulting flakes were evaluated for mouthfeel qualities. The flow index, coefficient of shear rate and apparent viscosity obtained from viscometric analysis were found to be significantly correlated to mouthfeel descriptors used for evaluation of the flakes.
Vasopressin potentiation in the performance of a learned appetitive task: reversal by a pressor antagonist analog of vasopressin.

Abstract Rats were tested in a simple one-trial water-finding task for the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on performance of an appetitive task. On the training day, each animal was exposed for 5 min to a novel open-field environment that contained a water-tube located in an alcove set into one of the walls of the enclosure. Immediately upon removal from the enclosure, the animals received a subcutaneous injection of either AVP (1 μg/rat) or vehicle solution. When water-deprived and tested 48 hr later, vasopressin-treated rats found the water tube reliably faster than controls. In other groups of animals, this potentiation in learned performance was prevented by concurrently treating the rats with a vasopressin analog having potent pressor antagonist properties. These results are consistent with the notion that vasopressin may play a role in memory consolidation, but peripheral visceral factors may mediate this action.
In-situ spectral ellipsometry for real-time thickness measurement and control

A polarization modulated spectroscopic ellipsometer (SE) is used in situ to measure the thicknesses of films in real time during processing. These thicknesses are used for adaptive control during single-wafer processing. Using the speed of phase modulation, multichannel detection, and digital signal processing techniques, this ellipsometer is capable of acquiring spectra in less than 75 ms. Efficient algorithms were developed for determining layer parameters (thicknesses and composition) from the measured spectra of multilayer film stacks in one second or less. The measured thicknesses and etch rates are used to anticipate interfaces in multiple layer stacks and control process end points. A repeatability gauge study was performed using this in situ SE and a commercial single-wavelength ellipsometer (SWE) on thermally grown silicon dioxide on silicon wafers. Data was obtained on each instrument over an oxide thickness range from 60 to 250 angstroms. The total repeatability for the in situ SE measurements was 0.26 angstroms (1.6 angstroms 6-sigma) over this thickness range.
A Better Path toward Ensuring Lifelong Physical Activity Participation

Currently no empirical research exists to support the contention that increasing levels of MVPA during physical education instruction will increase the likelihood that individuals will pursue physical activity into adulthood. This article presents what else is needed.
Differential role of SLP-76 domains in T cell development and function

The adapter SLP-76 is essential for thymocyte development. SLP-76−/− mice were reconstituted with SLP-76 deletion mutant transgenes to examine the role of SLP-76 domains in T cell development and function. The N-terminal domain deletion mutant completely failed to restore thymocyte development. Mice reconstituted with Gads-binding site and SH2 domain deletion mutants had decreased thymic cellularity, impaired transition from double to single positive thymocytes, and decreased numbers of mature T cells in the spleen. Calcium mobilization and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activation were decreased in the Gads-binding site mutant but almost normal in the SH2 domain mutant. T cells from both mutants failed to proliferate following T cell antigen receptor ligation. Nevertheless, both mutants mounted partial cutaneous hypersensitivity responses and normal T cell dependent IgG1 antibody responses. These results indicate differential roles for SLP-76 domains in T cell development, proliferation and effector functions.
North Pacific plate convergence: A quantitative record of the past 140 m.y.

A quantitative record of the rate and direction of plate convergence around the North Pacific Ocean can be derived by combining information on Northern Hemisphere plate motion as related to hot spots with the details of North Pacific plate evolution. Such a record permits reconstruction of both north-south and east-west components of convergence and shows that the North and east Pacific margins were characterized by convergence rates in excess of 20 cm/yr during the time period between about 80 and 45 Ma. The west Pacific was characterized by north-northwesterly convergence at 15 to 20 cm/yr prior to 80 Ma and by moderate westerly convergence since then.
A proprotein convertase/MMP-14 proteolytic cascade releases a novel 40 kDa vasculostatin from tumor suppressor BAI1

Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1), an orphan G protein-coupled receptor-type seven transmembrane protein, was recently found mutated or silenced in multiple human cancers and can interfere with tumor growth when overexpressed. Yet, little is known about its regulation and the molecular mechanisms through which this novel tumor suppressor exerts its anti-cancer effects. Here, we demonstrate that the N terminus of BAI1 is cleaved extracellularly to generate a truncated receptor and a 40-kDa fragment (Vasculostatin-40) that inhibits angiogenesis. We demonstrate that this novel proteolytic processing event depends on a two-step cascade of protease activation: proprotein convertases, primarily furin, activate latent matrix metalloproteinase-14, which then directly cleaves BAI1 to release the bioactive fragment. These findings significantly augment our knowledge of BAI1 by showing a novel post-translational mechanism regulating BAI1 activity through cancer-associated proteases, have important implications for BAI1 function and regulation, and present novel opportunities for therapy of cancer and other vascular diseases.
On being a Muslim woman

‘What does it mean to be a Muslim woman?’ Posing this question on the Internet will lead to a study on Muslim women in higher education in the UK (Tyrer & Ahmad, 2006). The same question with a few...
Supplier selection in a closed-loop supply chain network: an ANP-goal programming based methodology

Traditionally, in supply chain literature, the supplier selection problem is treated as an optimization problem that requires formulating a single objective function. However, not all supplier selection criteria can be quantified, as a result of which, only a few quantitative criteria are included in the problem formulation. To this end, in this paper, we develop an integrated analytic network process (ANP) and preemptive goal programming (PGP) based multi-criteria decision making methodology to address the qualitative and quantitative criteria that influence the supplier selection problem in a closed-loop supply chain network (CLSC). While the ANP methodology aids in determining qualitatively the supply chain strategy by evaluating the suppliers with respect to several criteria, the PGP methodology uses the ANP ratings as inputs and aids in mathematically determining the optimal quantities to be ordered from the suppliers.
Tumorigenesis in transgenic mice in which the SV40 T antigen is driven by the brain-specific FGF1 promoter.

Gene expression can be manipulated by the introduction of a hybrid gene formed by linking a highly tissue-specific regulatory element to a gene whose expression might be expected to alter cellular function. Previously, we have shown that the human FGF1 gene contains four distinct tissue-specific promoters. In an effort to perturb the programming of proliferation and differentiation in a subset of neural cells, we have produced transgenic mice bearing the brain-specific promoter of the human FGF1 gene joined to the SV40 immediate early gene, which encodes the large T antigen. The resulting mice, and offspring from four individual lines, developed brain tumors that originated in the pontine gray, just rostral to the fourth ventricle. Tumors were moderately vascularized, as demonstrated by staining with both hematoxylin and eosin and antibodies to three different endothelial cell markers, but vessels were histologically normal. Scattered tumor foci were present as early as postnatal day 26; and affected animals died between 5–8 months of age. In mature animals, tumors lacked terminal differentiation markers for astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein) or neurons (synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase). However, they expressed high levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and vimentin, markers for proliferating cells. This immunophenotype is consistent with the tumor being at an early stage of differentiation. Therefore, these mice may provide a valuable tool for the study of tumorigenesis, replenishment and differentiation of neural stem cells.
Traversable wormholes: The Roman ring

In this Brief Report I introduce yet another class of geometries for which semiclassical chronology protection theorems are of dubious physical reliability. I consider a {ital {open_quotes}Roman ring{close_quotes}} of traversable wormholes, wherein a number of wormholes are arranged in a ring in such a manner that no subset of wormholes is near chronology violation, though the combined system can be arbitrarily close to chronology violation. I show that (with enough wormholes in the ring) the gravitational vacuum polarization (the expectation value of the quantum stress-energy tensor) can be made arbitrarily small. In particular, the back reaction can be kept arbitrarily small all the way to the {open_quotes}reliability horizon,{close_quotes} so that semiclassical quantum gravity becomes unreliable before the gravitational back reaction becomes large. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Use of nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy for noninvasive observations of root-soil water relations

As part of our strategy to study root-soil water relationships, it was necessary to develop a nondestructive technique to detect small changes in water distribution in and near the root. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), clinically used to nondestructively and noninvasively acquire anatomical information, can also be used to observe water distribution in roots, soils and other plant tissues. In MRI, a sample is placed in a strong magnetic field and a sequence of radio frequency (rf) pulses and magnetic field gradients is used to measure the concentration and relaxation properties of protons, chiefly those associated with water. This information is then reconstructed into a digital image representing the spatial distribution of water in plant tissues and soil. Today, intact roots less than 1 mm in diameter growing in soil or synthetic media can be clearly imaged in less than 4 minutes at resolutions typically less than 30µm. This permits rapid production of images that simultaneously distinguish temporal changes in water distribution in root tissue, the rhizosphere and the adjacent soil at microscopic levels. Applications of this technique for investigating plant-soil water relationships will be discussed.
Mapping from the s -domain to the z -domain via the magnitude-invariance method

Abstract In this paper, a new mapping between the s-domain and the z-domain is reported. This method is denoted as the magnitude-invariance method (MIM). Under this mapping, it is shown that the autocorrelation function of the unit sample response of the discrete-time system is samples of the autocorrelation function of the Dirac impulse response of the analog prototype convolved with a sinc function. If the magnitude frequency response for the analog prototype, for normalized radian frequencies, is strictly bandlimited to less than |π|, then MIM is equivalent to autocorrelation-invariance. The new method (MIM) is unique in that it produces a magnitude frequency response of the discrete-time rational transfer function that exactly (theoretically) follows that of the analog prototype rational transfer function for normalized radian frequencies from −π to π, unlike that of any other mapping from the s-domain to the z-domain, including the impulse-invariance and bilinear transform methods. In some applications this may be advantageous, such as in routine digital filter design based on an analog prototype, analog magnitude frequency response equalization via a digital filter, etc. This mapping is not restricted to lowpass or bandpass analog prototype transfer functions.
Plantar hypoesthesia alters time-to-boundary measures of postural control

Our purpose was to identify the effect of diminished plantar cutaneous sensation on time-to-boundary (TTB) measures of postural control during double and single limb quiet standing. Thirty-two healthy young adults underwent 10 min of ice immersion of the plantar aspect of the feet prior to balance testing. On a different day, the subjects did not receive this intervention prior to testing. A 2 × 2 vision (eyes open, eyes closed) by sensation (control, hypoesthesia) repeated measures design was used to analyze the TTB measures. In double limb stance, there were significant interactions between sensation and vision for the absolute TTB minimum and the mean of TTB minima in the anteroposterior (AP) direction. There was a significant increase in both measures after sensation was diminished with eyes closed compared to the control, but not with eyes open. In single limb stance, the TTB absolute minimum, the mean of TTB minima in the AP direction, and the standard deviation of TTB minima significantly increased...
Evaluation of mechanism of increased intracranial pressure with insufflation

Background: Previous studies have documented an increase in intracranial pressure with abdominal insufflation, but the mechanism has not been explained. Methods: Nine 30–35-kg domestic pigs underwent carbon dioxide insufflation at 1.5 l/min. Intracranial pressure (ICP), lumbar spinal pressure (LP), central venous pressure (CVP), inferior vena cava pressure (IVCP), heart rate, systemic arterial blood pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac output, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and end-tidal CO2 were continuously measured. Mechanical ventilation was used to maintain a constant pCO2. Measurements were recorded at 0, 5, 10, and 15 mmHg of abdominal pressure with animals in supine, Trendelenburg (T), and reverse Trendelenburg (RT) positions. Prior to recording measurements, the animals were allowed to stabilize for 40 min after each increase in abdominal pressure and for 20 min after each position change. Results: The animals showed a significant increase in ICP (mmHg) with each 5-mmHg increase in abdominal pressure (0 mmHg: 14 ± 1.7; 5 mmHg: 19.8 ± 2.3, p < 0.001; 10 mmHg: 24.8 ± 2.5, p < 0.001; 15 mmHg: 29.8 ± 4.7, p < 0.01). The ICP at 15 mmHg abdominal pressure increased further in the T position (39 ± 4, p < 0.01). Insufflating in the RT position did not significantly reduce the increase in ICP. The IVCP (mmHg) increased with increased abdominal pressure (0 mmHg: 11.5 ± 6.2, 15 mmHg: 22.1 ± 3.5, p < 0.01). This increase correlated with the increase in ICP and LP (r of mean pressures ≥0.95). There was no significant change in CVP. Conclusions: This study suggests that care may be needed with laparoscopy in patients at risk for increased ICP due to head injury or a space occupying lesion. The mechanism of increased ICP associated with insufflation is most likely impaired venous drainage of the lumbar venous plexus at increased intraabdominal pressure. Further studies of cerebral spinal fluid movement during insufflation are currently underway to confirm this hypothesis.
International involvement in the US space station programme

Abstract This article considers the issues surrounding the nature and extent of involvement in the US space station initiative. The motives and objectives of US cooperation with its allies are analysed from the perspective of both the USA and its potential partners. Guidelines for the forthcoming negotiations between these parties are elaborated through a review of past experience in international space cooperation. Developing a framework for collaboration will require significant trade-offs and will have to accommodate a number of not always consistent interests.
Population doubling: A simple and more accurate estimation of cell growth suppression in the in vitro assay for chromosomal aberrations that reduces irrelevant positive results

International guidelines for cytotoxicity limits for the in vitro chromosomal aberration assay require reductions in cell growth of greater than 50%. This sets no upper limit on toxicity and there is concern about the number of false or irrelevant results obtained in the aberration assay, i.e., positive results at toxic dose levels only, with no evidence for primary DNA damaging ability and with negative results in the other genotoxicity tests. We have previously proposed that no truly genotoxic compound would be missed if the toxicity of the highest dose did not exceed 50%. Cell growth measured by cell counts as a percentage of controls can underestimate toxicity. For example, if we seed half a million cells per culture, and the controls double to 1 million during the experiment, a culture that truly has no growth will still have a cell count 50% of the control. Measurement of population doublings (PDs) more accurately assesses cell growth. To assess the use of PD in dose selection, we examined previous data from this lab and data from new experiments with "true," primary DNA damaging clastogens, and with clastogens, including drugs, thought to act indirectly, through cytotoxicity-associated mechanisms. We compared aberration results where the highest doses scored were based on 50% reductions in final cell counts with results obtained when the highest doses were based on PD. The PD method allows detection of true clastogens, including those that are active in a range with some toxicity, and reduces the number of toxicity-related "false"-positive results.
Rapid Plasma Membrane Anchoring of Newly Synthesized p59 fyn: Selective Requirement for NH2-Terminal Myristoylation and Palmitoylation at Cysteine-3

The trafficking of Src family proteins after biosynthesis is poorly defined. Here we studied the role of dual fatty acylation with myristate and palmitate in biosynthetic transport of p59 fyn . Metabolic labeling of transfected COS or NIH 3T3 cells with [ 35 S]methionine followed by analysis of cytosolic and total membrane fractions showed that Fyn became membrane bound within 5 min after biosynthesis. Newly synthesized Src, however, accumulated in the membranes between 20– 60 min. Northern blotting detected Fyn mRNA specifically in soluble polyribosomes and soluble Fyn protein was only detected shortly (1–2 min) after radiolabeling. Use of chimeric Fyn and Src constructs showed that rapid membrane targeting was mediated by the myristoylated NH 2 -terminal sequence of Fyn and that a cysteine at position 3, but not 6, was essential. Examination of Gα o -, Gα s -, or GAP43-Fyn fusion constructs indicated that rapid membrane anchoring is exclusively conferred by the combination of N-myristoylation plus palmitoylation of cysteine-3. Density gradient analysis colocalized newly synthesized Fyn with plasma membranes. Interestingly, a 10–20-min lag phase was observed between plasma membrane binding and the acquisition of non-ionic detergent insolubility. We propose a model in which synthesis and myristoylation of Fyn occurs on soluble ribosomes, followed by rapid palmitoylation and plasma membrane anchoring, and a slower partitioning into detergent-insoluble membrane subdomains. These results serve to define a novel trafficking pathway for Src family proteins that are regulated by dual fatty acylation.
Aging-related research in the "-omics" age.

Welcome to the "-omics" age, where we can do science bigger, faster, better; or at least we think we can. For the past few years, biological research has been undergoing a revolution of scale; instead of studying one gene or one protein at a time, thousands, or even tens of thousands, of variables are being examined in one experiment. The application of genome-scale technologies to the study of aging has been slower than in many other fields; however, things are beginning to change. This Perspective will review some of the ways in which high-throughput technologies are being successfully developed for, and applied to, the study of aging in humans and model systems, with particular emphasis on microarrays and methods for genome-wide life-span analysis.
Blood pressure responder rates versus goal rates: which metric matters?:

Reducing blood pressure (BP) to guideline-recommended goals associated with reductions in cardiovascular risk is central to effective hypertension management. In addition to measuring BP reduction,...
A novel alpha conotoxin (α-PIB) isolated from C. purpurascens is selective for skeletal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The alpha-conotoxin family is comprised of peptides that share the following arrangement of cysteine residues in the primary amino acid sequence: -CC-C-C-, where each dash represents a variable number of amino acids. The number of amino acids between cysteine residues has been used to group the alpha-conotoxins into distinct subfamilies. These subfamilies include the alpha 4/7-, alpha 4/3- and alpha 3/5-conotoxins, so named for the number of amino acids between 2nd/3rd and 3rd/4th cysteine residues, respectively. The alpha 3/5-conotoxins antagonize vertebrate-muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), while the alpha 4/7- and alpha 4/3-conotoxins primarily inhibit vertebrate neuronal nAChRs. To date, these three subfamilies are the most extensively characterized of the alpha-conotoxin family. Here we report the purification and characterization of an unusual alpha 4/4-conotoxin, alpha-conotoxin PIB (alpha-PIB), from the venom of Conus purpurascens, with the following amino-acid sequence: ZSOGCCWNPACVKNRC (Z=pyroglutamate, O=hydroxyproline). This peptide demonstrates high affinity inhibition of vertebrate-muscle nAChRs, and paralytic effects when injected in vivo. Testing of alpha-PIB against other receptors indicated that the inhibitory effect is specific for skeletal muscle nAChRs. alpha-PIB shares the key biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of the alpha-conotoxin family.
Geochemical controls of iodine uptake and transport in Savannah River Site subsurface sediments

Abstract Because iodine-129 has a half-life of nearly 16 million years, poses major health threats, and can be mobile in the environment, it is important to use the best estimates for kinetics of sorption in risk assessment models. Previous work estimating the iodine sorption has not allowed for samples to reach full equilibrium and field studies have reported significant fractions of up to three major species of iodine; therefore, further research into the kinetics of iodine sorption to sediments is warranted. The objective of this study is to investigate the kinetics of iodine sorption in the presence of subsurface upland sediments and wetland sediments from an area within an 129 I plume at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC. Batch sorption studies for these systems took longer than 8 weeks to reach equilibrium, which is significant as previous studies did not reach such timescales. In addition, experiments were conducted under oxic and anoxic conditions. Results confirm that there are three species present in these systems (iodide, iodate, and organo-iodine) with a majority as organo-iodine species at equilibrium for systems with high organic matter content. It is notable that the anoxic conditions exhibited reduced sorption for the iodate species to wetland sediment with high organic matter.
DNA synthesis and mitosis in adult amphibian cardiac muscle cells in vitro

High-resolution autoradiography and fine structural analysis of adult newt heart tissue in long-term culture revealed that tritiated thymidine was concentrated in the nuclei of dedifferentiated myocardial cells. Mitotic chromosomes were observed in some of these cells. This demonstrates that adult amphibian myocardial cells in vitro are capable of DNA synthesis and mitosis.
Smolting Success of Hatchery‐Raised Steelhead Planted in a Michigan Tributary of Lake Michigan

Abstract Four groups of hatchery-raised steelhead Salmo gairdneri were marked and released in the Little Manistee River, a Michigan tributary of Lake Michigan. The groups were yearlings, fall fingerlings, fall yearlings, and large yearlings. Percent smoolting, cost per smolt, timing of smolting, and an index of residual river populations were examined for each group. Smolting was monitored with traps installed near the mouth of the river. Estimates of residual river populations were obtained by electrofishing. Percent smolting was very low (0.5-7.1%) for the yearlings, fall fingerlings, and fall yearlings, but much higher for the large yearlings (48.2%). Percent smolting was inversely related to the length of time each group spent in the river. The cost of producing one smolt was lowest for fall fingerlings and large yearlings at $0.69 and $1.11, respectively. Both hatchery-raised and wild steelhead smolted during May and early June, and peak migrations occurred in mid-May. Fairly high standing crops of t...
Infarction of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma After Fine-Needle Aspiration: Case Series and Review of Literature

Importance Although infarction after fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a rare occurrence, it is a known phenomenon that may lead to difficulties in interpretation for pathologists and in decision-making for head and neck surgeons. Objective To characterize our experience with infarction in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) after FNA and review existing cases of infarcted PTCs in the literature to better understand this phenomenon. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective case series and review of literature at a tertiary medical center (University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], Medical Center). All patients who had a surgical pathologic diagnosis of infarcted PTC and who underwent FNA prior to surgery at UCLA from June 2006 to June 2012 were identified. There were 620 cases of PTC and 12 cases of infarcted PTC. Main Outcomes and Measure Demographic data, FNA cytologic findings, and surgical pathologic data were gathered for each patient. A comprehensive literature search for infarcted PTC was performed. Results Twelve cases of infarcted PTC were found in a total of 620 cases of PTC (1.9%). The mean (SD) time interval between the last FNA and surgery was 52 (35) days (range, 13-133 days). All patients received a diagnosis of infarcted PTC after thyroidectomy was performed. Focal infarction was found in 4 patients (33%), and near-total infarction was found in 8 patients (67%). Five patients (47%) had the follicular variant of PTC, making it the most common subtype in our series. A thorough literature search yielded 11 articles reporting a total of 26 cases of infarcted PTC after FNA. To our knowledge, our case series on infarcted PTC is the largest reported series in the literature. Conclusions and Relevance Although infarction of PTC after FNA occurs infrequently, it may lead to difficulties in histologic diagnosis. Awareness of this phenomenon and its histologic associations, along with careful reevaluation of the FNA and surgical specimens, is important for appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment. At this point, infarction in PTC should not alarm a head and neck surgeon to change management, but future prospective studies with a large population of patients with infarcted PTCs are needed to establish the impact of infarction on differences in treatment outcomes for therapies that may be used in PTCs.
Letter Writing: A Tool for Counselor Educators

ABSTRACT Letter writing is an integral component of narrative therapy practice. In addition to the benefits of letter writing in counseling practice, letter writing may hold interesting possibilities for use in counselor education. This article provides a brief review of the benefits of letter writing in counseling practice and discusses the potential use of letter writing in counselor education courses. Guidelines and important considerations are offered, and examples of three types of letters are included.
Structural models of the bimetallic subunit at the A-cluster of acetyl coenzyme a synthase/CO dehydrogenase: binuclear sulfur-bridged Ni-Cu and Ni-Ni complexes and their reactions with CO.

The Ni(II)−dicarboxamido-dithiolato complexes (Et4N)2[Ni(NpPepS)] (1) and (Et4N)2[Ni(PhPepS)] (2) were used as Nid metallosynthons in the construction of higher nuclearity dinuclear Ni−Cu and Ni−Ni species to model the bimetallic Mp−Nid site of the A-cluster of acetyl coenzyme A synthase/CO dehydrogenase (ACS/CODH). Reaction of 1 with [Cu(neo)Cl] and [Ni(terpy)Cl2] in MeCN affords the dinuclear complexes (Et4N)[Cu(neo)Ni(NpPepS)] (3) and [Ni(terpy)Ni(NpPepS)] (4), respectively. Reaction of 2 with [Ni(dppe)Cl2] in MeCN yields [Ni(dppe)Ni(PhPepS)] (6). The Ni−Cu complex 3 exhibits no redox chemistry at the Nid site and no reaction with CO. In contrast, the Nip sites in 4 and 6 are readily reduced (characterized by their Ni(I) EPR spectra) and bind CO, exhibiting νco bands at 2044 and 1997 cm-1, respectively, indicating terminal CO binding. The present Ni−Ni systems replicate the structural and chemical properties of the A-cluster site in ACS/CODH and support the presence of Ni at Mp in the catalytically act...
USE OF TIME/TEMPERATURE INTEGRATORS, PREDICTIVE MICROBIOLOGY, AND RELATED TECHNOLOGIES FOR ASSESSING THE EXTENT AND IMPACT OF TEMPERATURE ABUSE ON MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS

Temperature abuse is a main concern for chilled and/or MAP meat and poultry products since it will not only cause economic loss, but may also lead to a foodborne illness hazard. A major question for such products is whether organoleptic spoilage due to microbial or chemical action will occur before pathogen numbers or toxin levels become a risk when a product undergoes abuse temperatures. Time-temperature integrators (TTI) have shown potential to indicate or estimate temperature abuse. However knowledge of predictive food microbiology is needed for each food to employ a TTI tag. The simple Monod and the nonlinear Gompertz function can be used to obtain growth parameters (i.e., lag time, exponential growth rate) from kinetic studies of microbial spoilage. The temperature dependence of these parameters is best evaluated by the Arrhenius or the square root model. Effects of temperature on other deteriorative processes can also be described similarly. Three approaches are presented to evaluate the extent and impact of temperature abuse on meat and poultry by use of TTI tags, which include the effective temperature, the equivalent time and the equivalent point approach. Other technologies to evaluate or to reduce the impact of temperature abuse are also discussed.
The effect of externally set goals on reaching integrative agreements in competitive markets

The study of the negotiation process has enjoyed a recent resurgence of scholarly interest. Of particular concern is the ability of negotiators to achieve solutions which result in integrative outcomes. The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of different levels of aspiration/goals on negotiator success and their ability to reach integrative solutions in a competitive market. One hundred fifty-eight subjects who were assigned one of four levels of goal difficulty-no goal, compromise goal, challenging goal, and difficult goal-participated in a competitive, multi-person, multi-transaction market simulation. The study found (1) challenging and difficult goals significantly enhanced participants' performance; (2) the more difficult the goal, the fewer transactions were completed; and (3) while there were no differences in total profitability among the challenging goal, compromise goal, and no goal, the difficult goal condition had a significant and negative effect on the ability of participants to achieve profitable outcomes within the market. A discussion of these findings and directions for future research are presented.
A Kinetic Model for Plasma Etching Silicon in a SF6/O2 RF Discharge

Time-dependent Boltzmann electron distribution calculations have been made at constant power and pressure in a SF6/O2 plasma with a varying oxygen mole fraction. The results show that as the oxygen fraction increases in a SF6/O2 plasma, the number of high-energy electrons in the tail of the electron distribution and the mean electron energy both increase significantly while the plasma is kept at the same reduced electric field E/N. Rate coefficients have been computed for the electron kinetic processes of these plasmas and merged within a kinetic equilibrium model for the plasma etch process, including neutral gas-phase chemistry, ion chemistry, and surface reactions. Model simulations show good agreement with experimental results for SF6/O2 etching of polysilicon and demonstrate that the anisotropic character of dilute SF6 plasma etching is related to the shift in the electron distribution with increasing oxygen fraction. Competition between F and O species for adsorption to silicon etching sites is also shown to be a factor in determining etch rates, but this competition is not significant until very large (> 80 percent) oxygen concentrations are present. Ionization rates and ion transport to the surface are shown to be much more important. The model simulations provide a rationale for explaining the very high etch rates observed at low-SF6 partial pressures and the increasing anisotropic etch character with greater oxygen dilution of SF6.
Prevalence and prognosis of coexistent asymptomatic intracranial stenosis.

Background and Purpose— There are limited data on the prevalence and prognosis of asymptomatic intracranial stenosis (AIS). Methods— Baseline cerebral angiograms and MR angiograms were used to determine AIS (50% to 99%) coexistent to symptomatic intracranial stenosis for patients enrolled in the Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease study. Results— Coexisting AIS were detected in 18.9% (n=14/74) of patients undergoing 4-vessel cerebral angiography and 27.3% (n=65/238) of patients undergoing MR angiogram. During a mean follow-up period of 1.8 years, no ischemic strokes were attributable to an AIS on cerebral angiography and 5 ischemic strokes (5.9%, 95% CI: 2.1% to 12.3%) occurred in the AIS territory on MR angiogram (risk at 1 year=3.5%, 95% CI: 0.8% to 9.0%). Conclusions— Whereas the prevalence of coexisting AIS (50% to 99%) in patients with symptomatic stenosis is high, the risk of stroke from these asymptomatic stenoses is low.
Patterns of Auxin Transport and Gene Expression during Primordium Development Revealed by Live Imaging of the Arabidopsis Inflorescence Meristem

Background: Plants produce leaf and flower primordia from a specialized tissue called the shoot apical meristem (SAM). Genetic studies have identified a large number of genes that affect various aspects of primordium development including positioning, growth, and differentiation. So far, however, a detailed understanding of the spatio-temporal sequence of events leading to primordium development has not been established. Results: We use confocal imaging of green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter genes in living plants to monitor the expression patterns of multiple proteins and genes involved in flower primordial developmental processes. By monitoring the expression and polarity of PINFORMED1 (PIN1), the auxin efflux facilitator, and the expression of the auxin-responsive reporter DR5, we reveal stereotypical PIN1 polarity changes which, together with auxin induction experiments, suggest that cycles of auxin build-up and depletion accompany, and may direct, different stages of primordium development. Imaging of multiple GFP-protein fusions shows that these dynamics also correlate with the specification of primordial boundary domains, organ polarity axes, and the sites of floral meristem initiation. Conclusions: These results provide new insight into auxin transport dynamics during primordial positioning and suggest a role for auxin transport in influencing primordial cell type.
Quantifying the density of surface capping ligands on semiconductor quantum dots

We have designed a new set of coordinating ligands made of a lipoic acid (LA) anchor and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrophilic moiety appended with a terminal aldehyde for the surface functionalization of QDs. This ligand design was combined with a recently developed photoligation strategy to prepare hydrophilic CdSe-ZnS QDs with good control over the fraction of intact aldehyde (-CHO) groups per nanocrystal. We further applied the efficient hydrazone ligation to react aldehyde-QDs with 2-hydrazinopyridine (2-HP). This covalent modification produces QD-conjugates with a well-defined absorption feature at 350 nm ascribed to the hydrazone chromophore. We exploited this unique optical signature to accurately measure the number of aldehyde groups per QD when the fraction of LA-PEG-CHO per nanocrystal was varied. This allowed us to extract an estimate for the number of LA-PEG ligands per QD. These results suggest that hydrazone ligation has the potential to provide a simple and general analytical method to estimate the number of surface ligands for a variety of nanocrystals such as metal, metal oxide and semiconductor nanocrystals.
The MOOC Spring: MOOCs and technology to advance learning and learning research (Ubiquity symposium)

Fred Siff warns us that online learning, and in particular MOOCs, are threatening to overrun not just old models of instruction but the very nature of higher education institutions themselves.