cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Critical Evaluation of in silico Methods for Detection of Membrane Protein Intrinsic Disorder

Intrinsically disordered regions in proteins possess important biological roles including transcriptional regulation, molecular recognition, and provision of sites for posttranslational modification. In three-dimensional crystallization of both soluble and membrane proteins, identification and removal of disordered regions is often necessary for obtaining crystals possessing sufficient long-range order for structure determination. Disordered regions can be identified experimentally, with techniques such as limited proteolysis coupled with mass spectrometry, or computationally, by using disorder prediction programs, of which many are available. Although these programs use various methods to predict disorder from a protein’s primary sequence, they all were developed using information derived from soluble protein structures. Therefore, their performance and accuracy when applied to integral membrane proteins remained an open question. We evaluated the performance of 13 disorder prediction programs on a dataset containing 343 membrane proteins, and upon subdatasets containing only α-helical or β-barrel proteins. These programs were ranked using multiple metrics, including metrics specifically created for membrane proteins. Analysis of these data shows a clear distinction between programs that accurately predict disordered regions in membrane proteins and programs which perform poorly, and allows for the robust integration of in silico disorder prediction into our PSI:Biology membrane protein structural genomics pipeline.
Single-stranded DNA-binding Proteins and Neuron-restrictive Silencer Factor Participate in Cell-specific Transcriptional Control of the NMDAR1 Gene

Our previous studies revealed that a proximal region of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1) promoter is important for cell-type-specific expression. We have now explored the contributions of several regulatory elements to this specificity. Deletion of the neuron-restrictive silencer element partially relieved the suppression of promoter activity in C6 glioma and HeLa cells. An overlapping G(C/G)G/tandem Sp1-containing region crucial for both basal and nerve growth factor (NGF)-regulated promoter activity specifically bound nuclear proteins on its purine-rich sense strand. A faster migrating complex, single-stranded binding protein complex 1 (SBPC1), was highly enriched in HeLa cells, whereas a slower migrating complex, SBPC2, was enriched in PC12 cells. A high ratio of 2/1 complex correlated with a high level of promoter activity. NGF treatment of PC12 cells reduced SBPC1 but increased SBPC2. Competition experiments showed that the SBPC1 binding required a dG4 sequence and the SBPC2 needed a core of TG3A plus a 5'-flanking sequence. Single-stranded DNA encompassing TG3A and/or dG4 specifically suppressed cotransfected NMDAR1 promoter activity. UV cross-linking studies indicated that a 31.5-kDa protein mainly formed SBPC1, whereas SBPC2 contained several larger proteins. Our results suggest that neuron-restrictive silencer factor and single-stranded DNA-binding proteins may both play a role in cell-type specificity of the NMDAR1 gene, and the latter may also be involved in basal and NGF-regulated activity.
Microelectrode studies of organic carbon degradation and calcite dissolution at a California Continental rise site

Fine scale porewater profiles of resistivity, O2, pH, and pCO2 were measured in situ with microelectrodes at a site on the California continental rise. They are reported here with more traditional measurements of shipboard porewater NO3−, alkalinity and TCO2, and sediment organic C and CaCO3 profiles. A numerical model encompassing diffusion, advection, and multiple reaction terms is applied to these data to characterize organic carbon degradation and CaCO3 dissolution processes near the sediment-water interface. A benthic O2 flux of 58 μmol cm−2 yr−1 over the top 1 mm sediment is estimated based on one measured sub-mm depth scale O2 profile. The numerical model indicates that this high O2 consumption rate is related to a very labile fraction of organic C which has a degradation rate constant of approximately 4.5 × 10−8 s−1 (1.4 yr−1 ), and which is not mixed downward by biological mixing. Seasonality in the benthic O2 consumption rate of this site may be attributed to variations in the input rate of this highly labile organic C. Degradation rate constants of the bulk organic C by oxygen reduction and by nitrate reduction are estimated to be about the same (1 × 10−9 s−1 ). The organic C rain rate responsible for the bulk organic C is estimated to be 53 μmol cm−2 yr−1 . This estimate exceeds the average rain rate determined by sediment trap collections at this site. Saturation state profiles, calculated from the in situ pH and pCO2 data and from modelling the in situ O2 and pH data, both indicate that the porewater is undersaturated with respect to calcite to a depth of at least 8 cm. The dissolution rate constant of calcite in this CaCO3-poor station is determined to be 5–10% day−1 (assuming the reaction order is 4.5 ), which is close to the minimum estimates for environments richer in calcite. A uniform calcite dissolution rate constant, therefore, may be adequate for representing carbonate dissolution in global-scale models of ocean chemistry.
Form and function of tensile structures for permanent buildings

Abstract Fabric structures have been used in many permanent buildings for almost 30 years. Some of these applications are significant for their size or importance. Their form is a critical aspect of their efficiency. This paper describes the principal structural forms of tensile structures based on the author's experience with numerous executed or proposed designs and discusses their impact on the building's structure and function. The purpose is to help engineers pick the right structural system for a specific purpose. The reasons for selecting a fabric structure often include their speed of erection, use of daylight, reflection of heat from the sun, dispersal of interior sound, the beauty of the interior space, and the excitement of the exterior sculpture. Solutions to special problems related to fabric structures in permanent buildings are discussed.
Kitsch as a Repetitive System A Problem for the Theory of Taste Hierarchy

In this article, an attempt will be made to elaborate a theory of kitsch that dispenses with the traditional hierarchical framework within which kitsch is often understood. Avoiding both the populist approach of cultural studies, and the elitist approach of mass culture theorists, an argument is made for a uniquely kitsch aesthetic that employs the thematics of repetition, imitation and emulation as a distinct aesthetic style. Breaking from traditional analyses of popular conventionality in the realm of taste which aligns taste habits with class identities (such as that offered by Pierre Bourdieu), it is argued instead that the repetitive quality of kitsch addresses a general problem of modernity, that of ‘disembeddedness’, or the undermining of personal horizons of social and cosmic security (a model drawn from Anthony Giddens). The basis of this argument is drawn from a reconstruction of traditional theories of kitsch, though illustrative cases are offered.
Elastic Photoproduction of π 0 Mesons in Helium and ( γ , n ) Reaction on Helium at High Energies

The "elastic" photoproduction of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ mesons in helium has been measured as a function of center-of-mass angle for gamma-ray energies from 170 Mev to 340 Mev. The total cross section shows a maximum around 270-Mev excitation energy and the angular distribution at 300-Mev peaks around 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the center-of-mass system. An attempt has been made to interpret the results in terms of the differential cross section for photoproduction of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ mesons in hydrogen, and to obtain (from the amount of interference of the waves emitted by the four nucleons) a value for the "mean radius" of the alpha particle and the relative phase of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ emission from proton and neutron.The photodisintegration reaction $\ensuremath{\gamma}+{\mathrm{He}}^{4}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{He}}^{3}+n$ has also been investigated. The angular distribution of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ recoil nuclei is found to be proportional to ${sin}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$ for excitation energies between 40 Mev and 120 Mev.
The life history of Sanguinicola klamathensis

Abstract The life history of the trematode blood fluke, Sanguinicola klamathensis was studied using experimentally infected cutthroat trout ( Salmo clarki ) and by examining wild salmonid populations. This study was carried out at the Hagerman National Fish Hatchery, Idaho, during 1971–1973. Ova, miracidia, sporocysts, cercariae, immature flukes, and adult flukes were measured, described, and photographed. A life cycle for the blood fluke is presented.
Daughter Zion and Her Place in God's Household

The metaphorical phrases Daughter Zion and Daughter Jerusalem are to be understood as appositional genitives referring to the city of Jerusalem in spite of a recent proposal to the contrary. They are part of a larger literary and cultural deposit of personifying the city and should be interpreted in that light. The kinship connotations of the city as "daughter" are then explored and located in the larger root metaphor of YHWH's household, along with certain of the city's other roles (e.g. spouse, widow and mother).
RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF DEXAMETHASONE TO DECREASE THE DURATION OF VENTILATOR DEPENDENCY IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS. † 1321

RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF DEXAMETHASONE TO DECREASE THE DURATION OF VENTILATOR DEPENDENCY IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS. † 1321
Cohesin and the Maternal Age Effect

During meiosis in human oocytes, chromosome nondisjunction increases with maternal age, leading to disorders such as Down's syndrome. In a recent study in Nature Genetics , Hodges et al. (2005) show that mice with a mutation in the meiosis-specific cohesin protein SMC1β exhibit age-dependent defects in meiosis. These defects are similar to those observed in oocytes of older human mothers. Their results implicate an age-dependent loss of function in SMC1β (or related proteins) in the maternal age effect of humans.
Histometric effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor in wobbler mouse motor neuron disease

We investigated the histological effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor on degenerating motor neurons, their axons, and skeletal muscles in 68 wobbler mice with motor neuron disease. Treatment consisted of recombinant rat or human ciliary neurotrophic factor (or a vehicle solution), 1-mg/kg subcutaneous injection, three times per week for 4 weeks after the clinical diagnosis. The number of motor neurons immunoreactive for calcitonin gene--related peptide was higher in mice receiving rat ciliary neurotrophic factor (p < 0.03), although the number of choline acetyltransferase-reactive neurons was the same in both treated and untreated control groups. Treatment did not prevent vacuolar degeneration of motor neurons. In mice treated with human ciliary neurotrophic factor, the percentage of axons undergoing acute axonal degeneration (myelin ovoids) was smaller in the entire C5 ventral root (p < 0.02) and in the musculocutaneous nerve (p < 0.04), and the number of myelinated nerve fibers was 30% higher in both nerves (p < 0.01 and p < 0.04, respectively) than in controls. In ciliary neurotrophic factor-treated mice, the biceps muscle weight was 20% greater, the mean muscle fiber diameter was 30% larger, and the number of atrophied muscle fibers was 75% lower than that in the vehicle-treated wobbler mice (p < 0.001 for all three results). The number of terminal axonal branching points and the mean length of motor end-plates were also higher in the ciliary neurotrophic factor-treated mice (p < 0.001 and p < 0.02, respectively). Our study thus suggests that ciliary neurotrophic factor slowed neuronal degeneration, enhanced axonal regeneration at both the proximal and distal motor axons, and reduced muscle atrophy in this motor neuron disease.
Development of a high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy method for the determination of strychnine concentrations in insects used to assess potential risks to insectivores

A high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method was developed in support of a study to assess potential tertiary risks posed to insectivores by strychnine baited pocket gophers ( Thomomyssp.). Necropholous insects are primary consumers of pocket gopher carcasses. A field study was conducted to collect insects from strychnine-baited and control pocket gopher carcasses. The majority of the insects collected were from the orders Diptera (flies, assayed separately as adults and larvae), Coleoptera (beetles), and Hymenoptera (ants and wasps, assayed separately). Samples (0.5 g) were extracted in acetic acid (2%) and analyzed with the mass spectrometer configured for tandem mass spectrometry. For most of the samples the strychnine concentrations were less than the method limit of detection. However, strychnine concentrations as high as 0.338, 0.341, 0.698, and 0.034 g/g were detected in ants, fly adults, fly larvae, and beetles, respectively. This information collected with the HPLC/MS method is critical for assessing potential non-target hazards for insectivores. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Compact variable-focusing microlens with integrated thermal actuator and sensor

An integrated variable-focusing microlens chip with thermal actuator and sensor, which is capable of adjusting its focal length over a wide range, is reported. The packaged microlens chip consists of a flexible polymer lens, a thermal actuator, and a sensor. The focal length change is controlled by varying the voltage applied to the thermal actuator and without any mechanical moving parts. The focal length varies from 9.197 to 2.619 mm, which corresponds to the change of numerical aperture from 0.146 to 0.448. Potential applications include the camera phone, surveillance camera, disc recording systems, collimator, sensing systems, confocal imaging systems, and optical communication.
Structure-function relationships in highly modified shoots of cactaceae.

• Background and Aims Cacti are extremely diverse structurally and ecologically, and so modified as to be intimidating to many biologists. Yet all have the same organization as most dicots, none differs fundamentally from Arabidopsis or other model plants. This review explains cactus shoot structure, discusses relationships between structure, ecology, development and evolution, and indicates areas where research on cacti is necessary to test general theories of morphogenesis. • Scope Cactus leaves are diverse; all cacti have foliage leaves; many intermediate stages in evolutionary reduction of leaves are still present; floral shoots often have large, complex leaves whereas vegetative shoots have microscopic leaves. Spines are modified bud scales, some secrete sugar as extra-floral nectaries. Many cacti have juvenile/adult phases in which the flowering adult phase (a cephalium) differs greatly from the juvenile; in some, one side of a shoot becomes adult, all other sides continue to grow as the juvenile phase. Flowers are inverted: the exterior of a cactus ‘flower’ is a hollow vegetative shoot with internodes, nodes, leaves and spines, whereas floral organs occur inside, with petals physically above stamens. Many cacti have cortical bundles vascularizing the cortex, however broad it evolves to be, thus keeping surface tissues alive. Great width results in great weight of weak parenchymatous shoots, correlated with reduced branching. Reduced numbers of shoot apices is compensated by great increases in number of meristematic cells within individual SAMs. Ribs and tubercles allow shoots to swell without tearing during wet seasons. Shoot epidermis and cortex cells live and function for decades then convert to cork cambium. Many modifications permit water storage within cactus wood itself, adjacent to vessels.
Ultrastable Synergistic Tetravalent RNA Nanoparticles for Targeting to Cancers

One of the advantages of nanotechnology is the feasibility to construct therapeutic particles carrying multiple therapeutics with defined structure and stoichiometry. The field of RNA nanotechnology is emerging. However, controlled assembly of stable RNA nanoparticles with multiple functionalities which retain their original role is challenging due to refolding after fusion. Herein, we report the construction of thermodynamically stable X-shaped RNA nanoparticles to carry four therapeutic RNA motifs by self-assembly of reengineered small RNA fragments. We proved that each arm of the four helices in the X-motif can harbor one siRNA, ribozyme, or aptamer without affecting the folding of the central pRNA-X core, and each daughter RNA molecule within the nanoparticle folds into their respective authentic structures and retains their biological and structural function independently. Gene silencing effects were progressively enhanced as the number of the siRNA in each pRNA-X nanoparticles gradually increased from one to two, three, and four. More importantly, systemic injection of ligand-containing nanoparticles into the tail-vein of mice revealed that the RNA nanoparticles remained intact and strongly bound to cancers without entering the liver, lung or any other organs or tissues, while remaining in cancer tissue for more than 8 h.
Low power image sensor with polymer polarization filters

A complete polarization image sensor composed of a 60 by 20 pixel array with on-chip analog processing and an integrated pixel-pitch polymer polarization filter is presented. The image sensor computes the first three Stokes parameters at the focal plane at 30 fps with 15 mW power consumption. The sensor is used to identify automatically material properties by computing the degree of polarization off chip.
A grid enabled workflow management system for managing parameter sweep applications in neuroimaging research

Parameter sweep applications (PSA) are a class of applications that enable data analysis over large parameter spaces. While PSAs are immensely useful to neuroimaging researchers, they can be tedious to manage, and their inherent requirements for computational resources require a grid computing solution. The pipeline is a workflow management system designed to facilitate the use of PSAs for grid computing in neuroimaging research.
An overview of probabilistic aspects of harmonics: state of the art and new developments

The increased need for accurate power quality and harmonic studies requires more detailed and comprehensive models which take into account the time-varying and probabilistic nature of harmonic sources their interaction and summation. This ever-present time-varying nature of harmonics in power systems require a probabilistic treatment that needs to he incorporated in the harmonic analysis and studies. This time-varying behavior is due to continuous changes in system configurations, linear load levels and operating modes of nonlinear loads. This paper provides an overview of topics related to time-varying and probabilistic aspects of harmonics and which are being presently compiled (by the IEEE task force on probabilistic aspects of harmonics) in a comprehensive technical publication.
Vesicular Localization and Activity-Dependent Trafficking of Presynaptic Choline Transporters

Presynaptic synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) requires a steady supply of choline, acquired by a plasma membrane, hemicholinium-3-sensitive (HC-3) choline transporter (CHT). A significant fraction of synaptic choline is recovered from ACh hydrolyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) after vesicular release. Although antecedent neuronal activity is known to dictate presynaptic CHT activity, the mechanisms supporting this regulation are unknown. We observe an exclusive localization of CHT to cholinergic neurons and demonstrate that the majority of CHTs reside on small vesicles within cholinergic presynaptic terminals in the rat and mouse brain. Furthermore, immunoisolation of presynaptic vesicles with multiple antibodies reveals that CHT-positive vesicles carry the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and synaptic vesicle markers such as synaptophysin and Rab3A and also contain acetylcholine. Depolarization of synaptosomes evokes a Ca2+-dependent botulinum neurotoxin C-sensitive increase in the Vmax for HC-3-sensitive choline uptake that is accompanied by an increase in the density of CHTs in the synaptic plasma membrane. Our study leads to the novel hypothesis that CHTs reside on a subpopulation of synaptic vesicles in cholinergic terminals that can transit to the plasma membrane in response to neuronal activity to couple levels of choline re-uptake to the rate of ACh release.
Delay discounting determines delivery fees in an e‐commerce simulation: A behavioral economic perspective

Participants ordered music CDs and bargained for delivery time and fees in a simulated on-line store. After ordering a CD, participants engaged in a delivery-fee bargaining task that was embedded in a psychophysical up–down staircase titration procedure in which options of next-day delivery for a fee and delayed free delivery were made more or less attractive based on previous choices. A hyperbolic function derived from the matching law fit the data. These results are consistent with a behavioral-economic account of intertemporal choice in which delivery fees are seen as a swap of money for time. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The “Conundrum” of Old Norse i -Umlaut: A Reply to Iverson and Salmons

Both Iverson and Salmons 2004 and Voyles 1982 develop viable theories of the Old Norse i-umlaut. It is argued, however, that while Iverson and Salmons' theory posits implausible changes, the changes assumed by Voyles are plausible and well attested.
Pseudosibship methods in the case-parents design.

Recent evidence suggests that complex traits are likely determined by multiple loci, each of which contributes a weak to moderate individual effect. Although extensive literature exists on multilocus analysis of unrelated subjects, there are relatively fewer strategies for jointly analyzing multiple loci using family data. Here we address this issue by evaluating two pseudosibship methods: the 1:1 matching, which matches each affected offspring to the pseudosibling formed by the alleles not transmitted to the affected offspring, and the exhaustive matching, which matches each affected offspring to the pseudosiblings formed by all the other possible combinations of parental alleles. We prove that the two matching strategies use exactly and approximately the same amount of information from data under additive and multiplicative genetic models, respectively. Using numerical calculations under a variety of models and testing assumptions, we show that compared with the exhaustive matching, the 1:1 matching has comparable asymptotic power in detecting multiplicative/additive effects in single-locus analysis and main effects in multilocus analysis, and it allows association testing of multiple linked loci. These results pave the way for many existing multilocus analysis methods developed for the case-control (or matched case-control) design to be applied to case-parents data with minor modifications. As an example, with the 1:1 matching, we applied an L1 regularized regression toa Crohn’s disease dataset.Using the multipleloci selected in our approach, we obtained an order-of-magnitude decrease in p-value and an 18.9% increase in prediction accuracy when compared with using the most significant individual locus. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Considerations in Radiation Treatment Planning for Brain Tumors: Neural Progenitor Cell–Containing Niches☆☆☆

The purpose of this critical review is to explore the controversy regarding the relationship between radiation dose to the neural progenitor cell (NPC) niches and patient outcomes, in terms of both toxicity and tumor control. NPCs in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampus are paradoxically associated with long-term neurocognitive sequelae of brain irradiation, as well as resistance to therapy and tumor recurrence. The reconciliation of these somewhat opposing functions is challenging. Current literature suggests that radiation and other treatments against the NPC in the hippocampus and the SVZ may influence patient outcome. As a result, both the SVZ and the hippocampus could have important implications on radiation treatment planning strategies, and future laboratory and clinical evaluations will be critical in designing studies to optimize treatment outcome, effectiveness, and safety.
Molecular Pathways: Targeting ATR in Cancer Therapy

The human ATR gene encodes a kinase that is activated by DNA damage and replication stress as a central transducer of a checkpoint signaling pathway. Once activated, ATR phosphorylates multiple substrates, including the kinase Chk1, to regulate cell-cycle progression, replication fork stability, and DNA repair. These events promote cell survival during replication stress and in cells with DNA damage. Accordingly, there has been the tantalizing possibility that ATR inhibitors would be therapeutically useful, especially if they were more effective in tumor versus normal cells. Indeed, multiple studies have demonstrated that alterations that promote tumorigenesis, such as defects in the ATM-p53 pathway, constitutive oncogene activation, and acquisition of the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway, render tumor cells sensitive to ATR inhibitor monotherapy and/or increase the synergy between ATR inhibitors and genotoxic chemotherapies. Now, nearly two decades after the discovery of ATR, two highly selective and potent ATR inhibitors, AZD6738 and VX-970, are in early-phase clinical trials either as monotherapies or paired with a variety of genotoxic chemotherapies. These trials will generate important insights into the effects of ATR inhibition in humans and the potential role of inhibiting this kinase in the treatment of human malignancies.
Chapter 11 Atopic dermatitis, contact hypersensitivity, and urticaria

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a skin condition character:zed by cutaneous inflammation with both genetic and environmental causes. Exacerbations of this disease are brought on by infections, allergies. and chemical and physical irritants. Infections complicating and exacerbating atopic dermtitis are those caused by Staphyloccus aureus and herpes simplex virus. Another exacerbating factor is allergy. The role of allergy in atopic dermatitis has been debated for many years. However, today doubt no longer remains that IgE-mediated hypersensitivity can contribute to its pathogenesis. Researchers have now shown that IgE-mediated reactions are sustained into a late phase by a number of biochemical events, including chemotaxis of eosinophils and the release of major basic protein and histamine-releasing factor, a nonantigenic activator of basophils and mast cells. ’ The pharmacologic control of mast cell and basophil mediator release may also be an important consideration in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. The regulatory control of immune and inflammatory cells may be the mechanism that bridges the seeming disparity between immunologic and pharmacologic activity. Two major receptor-mediated cellular regulatory systems exist. The best known is the cyclic nucleotide system. In recent years a second regulatory system controlled by phosphoinositide metabolism has been discovered.’ The role of food hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis has been debated for years. ln one study 132 children with severe atopic dermatitis were evaluated for food hypersensitivity using doubleblind, placebo-controlled oral food challenges. Fiftynine percent of the children experienced at least one immediate hypersensitivity response to the challenge. ’
Polymer Semiconductors as a Biosensing Platform: Peroxidase Activity of Enzyme Bound to Organic Semiconducting Films

Organic polymer semiconductors have unique electronic properties which make them attractive for use in microelectronic and optoelectronic devices fabricated using inexpensive manufacturing processes. In addition, novel chemical and biological sensors have been proposed which make use of the photophysical and electrical properties of conjugated polymer semiconducting films. The work described herein illustrates one such biosensing application by demonstrating successful immobilization of horseradish peroxidase enzyme onto a thin film of the semiconducting polymer MDMO-PPV. Validation of bound peroxidase activity is accomplished through the use of a substrate solution of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and hydrogen peroxide, which yields a dark brown precipitate in the presence of peroxidase. Photometric measurements are used to derive a quantitative assay of bound peroxidase concentration. This work supports the feasibility of organic semiconducting polymer films as a biosensing platform in microelectronic sensor devices.
Fumonisin B1-induced Sphingolipid Depletion Inhibits Vitamin Uptake via the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Folate Receptor

The folate receptor, like many glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, is found associated with membrane domains that are insoluble in Triton X-100 at low temperature and that are enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids. Depletion of cellular cholesterol has been shown to inhibit vitamin uptake by this receptor (Chang, W.-J., Rothberg, K. G., Kamen, B. A., and Anderson, R. G. W. (1993) J. Cell Biol.118, 63–69), suggesting that these domains regulate this process. In this study, the importance of sphingolipids for folate receptor function was investigated in Caco-2 cells using fumonisin B1, a mycotoxin that inhibits the biosynthesis of these lipids. The folate receptor-mediated transport of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was almost completely blocked in cells in which sphingolipids had been reduced by ∼40%. This inhibition was dependent on the concentration and duration of the treatment with the mycotoxin and was mediated by the sphingolipid decrease. Neither receptor-mediated nor facilitative transport was inhibited by fumonisin B1 treatment, indicating that the effect of sphingolipid depletion was specific for folate receptor-mediated vitamin uptake. A concurrent loss in the total amount of folate binding capacity in the cells was seen as sphingolipids were depleted, suggesting a causal relationship between folate receptor number and vitamin uptake. These findings suggest that dietary exposure to fumonisin B1could adversely affect folate uptake and potentially compromise cellular processes dependent on this vitamin. Furthermore, because folate deficiency causes neural tube defects, some birth defects unexplained by other known risk factors may be caused by exposure to fumonisin B1.
Groundstate threshold in triangular anisotropic +/−J Ising models

Abstract We deal with anisotropic triangular +/− J Ising spin lattices TR(p, q, r) with antiferromagnetic coupling probabilities p, q, r ( p for the horizontal bonds and q , r for the other two directions, respectively). Non-antiferromagnetic bonds are ferromagnetic. The groundstate phase transition surface p c , tr ( q , r ) is investigated, concerning its border (here a phase transition reflects the disappearance of spontaneous magnetisation). To this end, for reasons of symmetry it suffices to study TR(p, q, r) . Results from simulations lead to 0.5 − q p c , tr ( q , 0) for t |0.25 − q t |⩾0.125 and to 0.5 − q p c , tr ( q , 0) for t |0.25 − q t | p c , tr (0.25, 0) = 0.25. Analytically we got p c , tr (0, 0) ⩽1, ensuring a phase transition in TR(p, 0, 0) at all. The surface p c , tr ( q , r ) is compared to p c , hc ( q , r ) which is associated with honeycomb lattices HC(p, q, r) . We give presumably exact critical concentrations p c at groundstates for basic lattices in 19 subclasses from so-called uniform classes of triangular, square and honeycomb +/− J Ising models.
Low Temperature MoCVD Routes to Thin Films from Transition Metal Precursors

A review is presented of early and recent advances in the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of thin films from organotransition metal and related precursors. Routes to pure metals and alloys, metal carbides, metal borides, metal nitrides, metal silicides, and related materials will be summarized. Also included is a discussion of both the advantages and disadvantages of employing metal-organic precursors that contain transition elements.
CloudRAMSort: fast and efficient large-scale distributed RAM sort on shared-nothing cluster

Sorting is a fundamental kernel used in many database operations. The total memory available across cloud computers is now sufficient to store even hundreds of terabytes of data in-memory. Applications requiring high-speed data analysis typically use in-memory sorting. The two most important factors in designing a high-speed in-memory sorting system are the single-node sorting performance and inter-node communication.In this paper, we present CloudRAMSort, a fast and efficient system for large-scale distributed sorting on shared-nothing clusters. CloudRAMSort performs multi-node optimizations by carefully overlapping computation with inter-node communication. The system uses a dynamic multi-stage random sampling approach for improved load-balancing between nodes. CloudRAMSort maximizes per-node efficiency by exploiting modern architectural features such as multiple cores and SIMD (Single-Instruction Multiple Data) units. This holistic combination results in the highest performing sorting performance on distributed shared-nothing platforms. CloudRAMSort sorts 1 Terabyte (TB) of data in 4.6 seconds on a 256-node Xeon X5680 cluster called the Intel Endeavor system. CloudRAMSort also performs well on heavily skewed input distributions, sorting 1 TB of data generated using Zipf distribution in less than 5 seconds. We also provide a detailed analytical model that accurately projects (within avg. 7%) the performance of CloudRAMSort with varying tuple sizes and interconnect bandwidths. Our analytical model serves as a useful tool to analyze performance bottlenecks on current systems and project performance with future architectural advances.With architectural trends of increasing number of cores, bandwidth, SIMD width, cache-sizes, and interconnect bandwidth, we believe CloudRAMSort would be the system of choice for distributed sorting of large-scale in-memory data of current and future systems
Technology-enhanced interactive surgical education.

Background Our goal was to create surgical resident centered, interactive teaching modules rich in basic science and clinical content directly pertinent to patient care and surgical techniques that would facilitate education in the 80-h work week environment. Methods A systematic evaluation of available instructional tools determined that a technology-enhanced approach can effectively and efficiently address the new requirements for resident learning. An extensive evaluation of available technology determined the technology best suited to teaching the adult surgical learner. Results An on-line, multimedia-based surgical education environment using WebCT Vista (WebCT, Inc., Lynnfield, MA) and Macromedia Breeze (Adobe Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA) software packages was implemented. The concept was constructed on tenets of adult learning theory and based on the APDS curriculum and ACGME core competencies. WebCT Vista serves as virtual scaffolding, and Macromedia Breeze functions to deliver content rich multimedia audio and visual presentations. Core subdiscipline teaching modules were created, comprised of individual lecture packets developed by faculty. Components for testing pre/post module knowledge, feedback and evaluations are built-in. The online nature allows for 24-h access at locations that are convenient to the resident. Conclusions Teaching modules enable maximal trainee and instructor flexibility, which translates into optimal adult learning and teaching. Lecture packets can be conveyed to all residents with unlimited availability in the virtual domain. Further refinement and continued implementation will help fill the void in direct didactic teaching left by mandated work hour restrictions, allowing for more efficient learning and teaching. There is great potential for broad application of the concept and technology to other training programs.
Showing you can do it: homework in therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.

This article discusses the application of homework tasks in an empirically supported treatment for children (aged 8-13 years) with anxiety disorders. Within this program, homework tasks-through practice and rehearsal in the child's natural environment-are an important ingredient to enable the child to increase his or her mastery of the information/skills covered in each session. The homework tasks also provide an opportunity for the therapist to check the child's grasp of the session content through unassisted application of the material. This article discusses issues that arise in the application of homework tasks with a child population (e.g., compliance). Homework in both child- and family-focused treatment is discussed. The issues addressed regarding homework, although raised in the context of anxious children in a cognitive behavioral treatment program, may be broadly applied to children in psychotherapy.
What does the brain know about blood pressure

The integration of baroreceptor inputs within the central nervous system is modulated by a variety of inhibitory processes. It is proposed that, in hypertension, brain stem neurons adapt to increased excitatory baroreceptor inputs by increasing the efficacy of these inhibitory processes. Enhanced inhibition maintains some degree of reflex function in hypertension.
Identification of candidate genes that underlie the QTL on chromosome 1 that mediates genetic differences in stress-ethanol interactions

Alcoholism, stress, and anxiety are strongly interacting heritable, polygenetic traits. In a previous study, we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on murine chromosome (Chr) 1 between 23.0 and 31.5 Mb that modulates genetic differences in the effects of ethanol on anxiety-related phenotypes. The goal of the present study was to extend the analysis of this locus with a focus on identifying candidate genes using newly available data and tools. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated with an elevated zero maze following saline or ethanol injections (1.8 g/kg) in C57BL/6J, DBA2J, and 72 BXD strains. We detected significant effects of strain and treatment and their interaction on anxiety-related behaviors, although surprisingly, sex was not a significant factor. The Chr1 QTL is specific to the ethanol-treated cohort. Candidate genes in this locus were evaluated using now standard bioinformatic criteria. Collagen 19a1 (Col19a1) and family sequence 135a (Fam135a) met most criteria but have lower expression levels and lacked biological verification and, therefore, were considered less likely candidates. In contrast, two other genes, the prenylated protein tyrosine phosphate family member Ptp4a1 (protein tyrosine phosphate 4a1) and the zinc finger protein Phf3 (plant homeoDomain finger protein 3) met each of our bioinformatic criteria and are thus strong candidates. These findings are also of translational relevance because both Ptp4a1 and Phf3 have been nominated as candidates genes for alcohol dependence in a human genome-wide association study. Our findings support the hypothesis that variants in one or both of these genes modulate heritable differences in the effects of ethanol on anxiety-related behaviors.
Spectroscopic characteristics of (Mn2+, Nd3+) co-doped zinc sulfide nanocrystals

Abstract The ZnS nanoparticles doped with Mn and Nd were synthesized by applying a wet chemical precipitation method using (NH 4 ) 2 S as the sulfur source. The co-doped ZnS nanopowders with pure sphalerite phase were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The influences of co-doped Mn and Nd on the ZnS crystallites, band-gap, and luminescence characteristics have been investigated. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy revealed the band gap enhancement of the co-doped ZnS. The photoluminescence in both visible and near infrared (NIR) regions, induced by incorporation of Mn 2+ and Nd 3+ into ZnS host, indicated that the co-doped ZnS nanocrystals can serve as a promising candidate for innovative photoluminescent materials.
Chaos in the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction

The dynamics of reacting chemical systems is governed by typically polynomial differential equations that may contain nonlinear terms and/or embedded feedback loops. Thus the dynamics of such systems may exhibit features associated with nonlinear dynamical systems, including (among others): temporal oscillations, excitability, multistability, reaction-diffusion-driven formation of spatial patterns, and deterministic chaos. These behaviors are exhibited in the concentrations of intermediate chemical species. Bifurcations occur between particular dynamic behaviors as system parameters are varied. The governing differential equations of reacting chemical systems have as variables the concentrations of all chemical species involved, as well as controllable parameters, including temperature, the initial concentrations of all chemical species, and fixed reaction-rate constants. A discussion is presented of the kinetics of chemical reactions as well as some thermodynamic considerations important to the appearance of temporal oscillations and other nonlinear dynamic behaviors, e.g., deterministic chaos. The behavior, chemical details, and mechanism of the oscillatory Belousov–Zhabotinsky Reaction (BZR) are described. Furthermore, experimental and mathematical evidence is presented that the BZR does indeed exhibit deterministic chaos when run in a flow reactor. The origin of this chaos seems to be in toroidal dynamics in which flow-driven oscillations in the control species bromomalonic acid couple with the BZR limit cycle.
Functionalization of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) by organic polymers: formation of substituted polythiophene–BNNS structures

Recent experiments with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) have shown the successful covalent and non-covalent functionalization of these boron nitride nanostructures, especially nanosheets (BNNS). This paper explores the synthesis of several thiophene-based polymers with conjugated pendant groups and their reactions with BNNSs. Specifically, two phenyl carboxylic acid functionalized polythiophene polymers, poly[3-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)thiophene] and poly[3-(4-benzoic acid)thiophene], have been prepared and reacted with exfoliated BNNSs. The resulting complexes between the conjugated polythiophene polymers and the BNNS are reported and characterized by their reaggregation stability and by spectroscopic methods.
Clinical Experience with the A-O Plate in the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fractures

The intramedullary nail is generally indicated for the treatment of fractures of the femoral shaft. In the present study, we used the A-O Plate, which is reputed to render early functional recovery for patients with this fracture by solid stabilization of the damaged bone segments using strong compression.The A-O Plate was used for the treatment of 46 fractures in 45 out of the 65 patients with a total of 67 fractures of the femoral shaft treated at our hospital between May 1985 and September 1988. The fractures were classified into simple, oblique or spiral fracture and tuft fractures. The formation of the callus, the period required for bone fusion, and the complications were all compared with the fracture type.Postoperatively, so-called primary bone healing was observed in anatomically well-reduced cases.Oblique or spiral fractures required a mean of 6.2 months for bone union, while tuft fractures needed 9.4 months on the average. In the latter, a broken plate, recurrence of the fracture, etc. were observed in 37.9% of the patients treated.
The postsplenectomy blood picture.

What may the clinician accept as a normal blood picture in the patient who has had a splenectomy? An adequate answer to this question in so far as the immediate postoperative period is concerned has been supplied previously. In an attempt to provide a yardstick by which the late postsplenectomy state may be evaluated and thus to furnish an answer to the question regarding the late postsplenectomy state, the blood picture of 105 patients was reviewed after splenectomy.
School Climate: Lessons We Learned While Planning a Community Forum

The hot-button issue of the gaps in achievement in education between white students on the one hand and black and Latino students on the other has multiple aspects: tracking; enrollment in accelerated classes; referral to special education, rates of disciplinary actions; participation in after-school activities. The authors, parents and community members in a school system - Arlington County, Virginia, that has made a commitment to minority achievement, sought a topic for a community forum that looked at the issue holistically and that united the community, as versus emphasizing one symptom or pointing a finger at some students and families. The choice was school climate, a topic that recognizes that students are more likely to succeed when schools encourage, enable, and support them. This phenomenon may have particular effects on minority students, but it is true for all. School climate is the common thread that connects student achievement and community-building.
Analysis of the effects of direct network report mode on the reported incidence rate and incidence tendency of communicable disease in Longgang District

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of the direct network report system on the reported incidence rate and incidence tendency of communicable diseases in Longgang District. METHODS The reported incidence rate and the monthly reported incidence tendency of class B communicable disease in 2004 of Longgang District were compared with that before 5 years (1999-2003) and after 5 years (2005-2009) respectively. RESULTS The reported incidence rate of B typle communicable disease was relative stable in Longgang District from 1999 to 2003. The reported incidence rate of B typle communicable disease was undulate in Longgang District from 2005 to 2009, but the average reported incidence rate had no difference compared to 2004. The monthly reported incidence tendency of class B communicable disease in 2004 was consistent with the monthly average reported incidence tendency before and after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS The reported incidence rate of B typle communicable disease increases under the direct network report mode in Longgang district but it doesn't have much influence on the overall incidence tendency.
Copper and silicon mediated, HMPA-free, n+3 ring expansions for the construction of medium sized lactones and lactams: short synthesis of (+)-cis-lauthisan

Abstract In this report, several new epoxide examples were united with β-silyl ketone enolates for the construction, after oxidative fragmentation, of ring expanded lactones, n+3 atoms in size. Importantly, azido lactones were found to be valuable in an extension of this protocol involving the n+3+p expansion into a series of hydroxyolefinic lactams. We also document a short, stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-cis-lauthisan and a new, cuprate-mediated and HMPA-free procedure for the generation of β-silyl silylenol ethers, useful in the environmentally-friendly construction of medium sized lactones.