cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-Time linux dynamic clamp: a fast and flexible way to construct virtual ion channels in living cells.

We describe a system for real-time control of biological and other experiments. This device, based around the Real-Time Linux operating system, was tested specifically in the context of dynamic clamping, a demanding real-time task in which a computational system mimics the effects of nonlinear membrane conductances in living cells. The system is fast enough to represent dozens of nonlinear conductances in real time at clock rates well above 10 kHz. Conductances can be represented in deterministic form, or more accurately as discrete collections of stochastically gating ion channels. Tests were performed using a variety of complex models of nonlinear membrane mechanisms in excitable cells, including simulations of spatially extended excitable structures, and multiple interacting cells. Only in extreme cases does the computational load interfere with high-speed "hard" real-time processing (i.e., real-time processing that never falters). Freely available on the worldwide web, this experimental control system combines good performance. immense flexibility, low cost, and reasonable ease of use. It is easily adapted to any task involving real-time control, and excels in particular for applications requiring complex control algorithms that must operate at speeds over 1 kHz.
Interaction of lipids with proteins and carbohydrates in breadmaking

After reviewing the evidence for interaction in breadmaking of lipids with proteins and carbohydrates, theories on the shortening response are discussed. Recent studies show that the response cannot be explained entirely on the basis of physical phenomena. Both overall breadmaking quality (presumably related to gluten and its components) and the presence of wheat flour lipids are important in the shortening response.
A new class of doped nanobulk high-figure-of-merit thermoelectrics by scalable bottom-up assembly

In the quest for more efficient thermoelectrics, a common strategy has been to introduce nanostructures in bulk crystals, thus reducing the thermal conductivity without affecting the electrical transport properties. A route is now presented in which the aggregation of nanoplatelets creates nanostructured materials that have higher thermoelectric efficiencies than their bulk counterparts.
Morphological changes in the cerebral cortex of rats with altered levels of ovarian hormones

Long—Evans female rats ovariectomized at Day 1 postnatally, and sacrificed at Day 90, developed a thicker cerebral cortex in some regions when compared with sham-ovariectomized littermates (controls). One responsive region, Area 4, was further investigated. A 12% increase in neuron soma size and a 6% increase in neuron nuclear size were found in cortical layers II to VI in the ovariectomized rats' Area 4 compared to the controls. In a second experiment, ovariectomized Day 1 female rats were given daily injections of ethinylestradiol from Day 40 to Day 90 (0.1 μg/100 g body wt). The cortical thickness in the ethinylestradiol-treated rats was thinner than that in the sham-ovariectomized littermates. Area 18, having the greatest difference, showed a 6% difference, whereas Area 10 showed no significant difference. Area 4 was in between these with a 4% difference. Neuron perikaryal density packing in Area 4 increased in the ethinylestradiol-treated animal when compared to the sham-ovariectomized by 19%. In a third experiment, ovariectomized rats treated daily with progesterone (0.2 mg/100 g body wt) showed a thicker cortex when compared with the sham-ovariectomized controls. Area 4 again was responsive with a 3% difference. Differences in the range of 3 to 5% were also found in other motor, sensory, and visual areas. Thus estrogen appears to reduce cortical dimensions, while progesterone appears to have a slight stimulatory effect under the present experimental conditions.
Analysis of the binding of Xenopus transcription factor IIIA to oocyte 5 S rRNA and to the 5 S rRNA gene.

Binding of transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) to site-specific mutants of Xenopus oocyte 5 S rRNA has been used to identify important recognition elements in the molecule. The putative base triple G75:U76:A100 appears to determine the conformation of the loop E region whose integrity is especially important for binding of the factor. Proximal substitutions in helices IV and V indicate that the proper folding of loop E is also dependent on these structures. Mutations in helix V affect binding of TFIIIA to 5 S rRNA and to the gene similarly and provide evidence that zinc finger 5 makes sequence-specific contact through the major groove of both nucleic acids. Although fingers 1-3 are positioned along helix IV and loop D, mutations in this region, including those that disrupt the tetraloop or close the opening in the major groove of the helix created by the U80:U96 mismatch, have no impact on binding. Substitutions made at stem-loop junctions in the arm of the RNA comprised of helix II-loop B-helix III display minor decreases in affinity for TFIIIA. Despite the alignment of the factor along nearly the entire length of 5 S rRNA, the essential elements for high affinity binding are limited to the central region of the molecule. Analysis of the corresponding mutations in the gene confirm that box C and the intermediate element provide the high affinity sites for binding of the factor to the DNA. Despite the small thermodynamic contribution made by contacts to box A, mutations made in this element can cause substantial changes in the orientation of the carboxyl-terminal fingers along the 5′-end of the internal control region.
Abnormal distribution of desmin and vimentin in myofibers in adult onset myotubular myopathy.

We report, for the first time, muscle immunocytochemical studies in sporadic, adult onset myotubular myopathy (SAOMM), which show intramyofibrillar central, perinuclear desmin and vimentin. This pattern was absent in a normal control and in myofibers with increased internal nuclei associated with denervation and myotonic muscular dystrophy (MyD). These findings resemble those reported in 8- to 15-week-old human fetal myotubes and myofibers of infantile MM, implying a possible regression of intermediate filaments of adult myofibers to an early developmental phase in SAOMM. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Predictive modeling of coupled multi-physics systems: I. Theory

Abstract This work presents an innovative mathematical methodology for “predictive modeling of coupled multi-physics systems (PMCMPS).” This methodology takes into account fully the coupling terms between the systems but requires only the computational resources that would be needed to perform predictive modeling on each system separately. The PMCMPS methodology uses the maximum entropy principle to construct an optimal approximation of the unknown a priori distribution based on a priori known mean values and uncertainties characterizing the parameters and responses for both multi-physics models. This “maximum entropy”-approximate a priori distribution is combined, using Bayes’ theorem, with the “likelihood” provided by the multi-physics simulation models. Subsequently, the posterior distribution thus obtained is evaluated using the saddle-point method to obtain analytical expressions for the optimally predicted values for the multi-physics models parameters and responses along with corresponding reduced uncertainties. Noteworthy, the predictive modeling methodology for the coupled systems is constructed such that the systems can be considered sequentially rather than simultaneously, while preserving exactly the same results as if the systems were treated simultaneously. Consequently, very large coupled systems, which could perhaps exceed available computational resources if treated simultaneously, can be treated with the PMCMPS methodology presented in this work sequentially and without any loss of generality or information, requiring just the resources that would be needed if the systems were treated sequentially.
Membrane association and orientation of rat renal activities capable of degrading glutathione

Abstract 1. 1. γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase and a peptidase which cleaves cysteinylglycine and its S-derivatives are localized within the brush border membrane of the proximal straight tubule. 2. 2. The transpeptidase has previously been shown to be an amphipathic protein in which the membrane binding and catalytic domains are separated by a papain-sensitive sequence of amino acids. 3. 3. The Triton-purified peptidase exhibits a higher apparent subunit molecular weight (150,000) than the papain-purified peptidase (135,000). 4. 4. The presence of the papain-sensitive sequence of amino acids was required for the incorporation of the Triton-purified peptidase into lecithin vesicles. 5. 5. Papain treatment of isolated brush border membrane vesicles results in 90–95% solubilization of transpeptidase and peptidase activities without altering the internal volume of the vesicles. 6. 6. At least 92% of both activities associated with vesicles can be inactivated with specific Fab antibodies or precipitated by indirect immunoprecipitation. 7. 7. The non-accessible γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and peptidase activities were shown to be associated with the internal surface of a unique population of inverted vesicles. 8. 8. Therefore, the two activities are orientated exclusively on the outside of the brush border membrane, consistent with their proposed participation in the extracellular degradation of glutathione and mercapturic acid precursors.
31P NMR spectra of rod outer segment and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes show no evidence of immobilized components due to lipid-protein interactions.

31P NMR studies of rod outer segment (ROS) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes have been performed under conditions where broad and narrow spectral components can be clearly resolved. Control studies of an anhydrous, solid powder of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), as well as aqueous binary mixtures of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), demonstrate clearly that broad spectral components can be detected. For the codispersions of DSPC and DOPC in the mixed-phase region at 22 degrees C, the 31P NMR spectra consist of a superposition of a broad component and a narrow, axially symmetric component, due to coexisting solid and liquid-crystalline domains, which are in slow exchange on the 31P NMR time scale. The 31P NMR spectra of the native ROS and SR membranes, however, consist of only a narrow component, to within experimental error, indicating that most or all of the phospholipids are in the liquid-crystalline (L alpha) phase at 22 degrees C. The above conclusions are in agreement with many, but not all, previous studies [see, e.g., Yeagle, P.L. (1982) Biophys. J. 37, 227-239]. It is estimated that at most 10% of the phospholipids in the ROS and SR membranes could give rise to broad 31P NMR spectral components, similar to those seen for anhydrous or solid-phase lipids, corresponding to approximately 7 phospholipids/rhodopsin molecule and approximately 11 phospholipids/Ca2+-ATPase molecule, respectively.
Bayesian Approach to the Optimization of Adaptive Systems

This paper describes how an adaptive system can adapt itself to optimize its performance under the influence of uncertain environment. At each stage of adaptation, the uncertain environment, which is represented by a random vector with an unknown statistical property, is estimated by Bayesian approach from its past outcomes up to the latest one. This approach is investigated in general so that the probability distribution of the future outcomes of the random vector is not restricted to any particular one. For most of the adaptive systems, these probability distributions are assumed to be the same. However, in the case of signal adaptation, it is shown that the results as well as the execution of the optimization technique are alike whether or not the probability distributions of the forthcoming outcomes of the random vector are the same.
HIV-1 TAR RNA Subverts RNA Interference in Transfected Cells through Sequestration of TAR RNA-binding Protein, TRBP

TAR RNA-binding protein, TRBP, was recently discovered to be an essential partner for Dicer and a crucial component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), a critical element of the RNA interference (RNAi) of the cell apparatus. Human TRBP was originally characterized and cloned 15 years ago based on its high affinity for binding the HIV-1 encoded leader RNA, TAR. RNAi is used, in part, by cells to defend against infection by viruses. Here, we report that transfected TAR RNA can attenuate the RNAi machinery in human cells. Our data suggest that TAR RNA sequesters TRBP rendering it unavailable for downstream Dicer-RISC complexes. TAR-induced inhibition of Dicer-RISC activity in transfected cells was partially relieved by exogenous expression of TRBP.
Convection Currents and Spin Magnetization in E 2 Transitions of C 12

The transverse electromagnetic form factors squared of the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ ${2}^{+}$ levels at 4.439 MeV ($T=0$) and at 16.107 MeV ($T=1$) have been measured by means of 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} electron scattering over a momentum-transfer range from $q=0.51 \mathrm{to} 2.05$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Evidence is presented for appreciable contributions of nuclear convection currents to the transverse 4.439-MeV form factor at low $q$, and spin magnetization contributions to the transverse 16.107-MeV form factor at higher $q$.
Deletion of 3p25.3 in a patient with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features with further definition of a critical region

Several recent reports of interstitial deletions at the terminal end of the short arm of chromosome 3 have helped to define the critical region whose deletion causes 3p deletion syndrome. We report on an 11-year-old girl with intellectual disability, obsessive–compulsive tendencies, hypotonia, and dysmorphic facial features in whom a 684 kb interstitial 3p25.3 deletion was characterized using array-CGH. This deletion overlaps with interstitial 3p25 deletions reported in three recent case reports. These deletions share a 124 kb overlap region including only three RefSeq annotated genes, THUMPD3, SETD5, and LOC440944. The current patient had phenotypic similarities, including intellectual disability, hypotonia, depressed nasal bridge, and long philtrum, with previously reported patients, while she did not have the cardiac defects, seizures ormicrocephaly reported in patients with larger deletions. Therefore, this patient furthers our knowledge of the consequences of 3p deletions, while suggesting genotype–phenotype correlations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sex toys and designing for sexual wellness

Sexual health encompasses physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. In this paper, we argue that designing for sexual health is an important aspect of the Wellness Informatics agenda, and that research on sex toys, which is underdeveloped in HCI, has the potential to contribute to this agenda substantively. We summarize our user research and present a set of design principles to further the agenda of designing for sexual wellness.
Chemiluminescent autoxidation of linolenic acid films on silica gel

Films of linolenic acid supported on chromatographic type silica gel undergo autoxidation at a rate which is slow compared to that in homogeneous phase at low surface coverage but comparable to it at coverages approximating a close-packed monolayer. The new observation reported here is that these surface phase oxidations are chemiluminescent. The quantum yield is ca. 10−12 quanta per molecule of fatty acid reacted for a close-packed monolayer and remains approximately constant with decreasing coverage. The emission intensity is temperature dependent, with an apparent activation energy of 10 kcal mol−1, and shows an induction period for close-packed monolayers. The emission spectrum contains a component consistent with excited state ketone emission and a low energy component, ca. 600+ nm, which could be due to singlet oxygen emission. The existence of the emission means that surface autoxidation reactions can be followed in place; the nature of the emission may provide insight into the autoxidation mechanism beyond that which may be inferred from conventional rate measurements.
Viscoelastic characterization of high concentration antibody formulations using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring.

With increasing protein concentrations, therapeutic protein formulations are increasingly demonstrating significant deviations from ideal dilute solution behavior due to protein–protein interactions. These interactions lead to unique biophysical challenges in the administration of biopharmaceuticals including high apparent viscosity and viscoelasticity as well as challenges in maintaining the physical stability of proteins in solution. Here, we describe a straightforward analytical method to calculate the complex modulus and viscosity of high concentration protein solutions from measurements made using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Further, this methodology was used to investigate the dependence of the storage and loss moduli (G′ and G″, respectively) of a humanized monoclonal antibody solution on solution pH. Unlike recent reports, the effect of protein deposition onto the surface of the quartz sensor crystal was measured and explicitly accounted for during analysis when determining the solution's complex modulus. It was found that the ratio G″/G′ was significantly greater than unity for all solutions investigated, but demonstrated a distinct maximum at pH 5.5 indicating that the solution exhibited the greatest liquid-like behavior at this pH. In addition, measurements were made at higher frequencies, which were found to be more sensitive to the changes in pH than those made at lower frequencies. It was also found that the viscoelastic ratio was relatively insensitive to the frequency of measurement at lower pH, but showed greater dependence on frequency as pH increased. The characterization of the rheological properties of high concentration antibody solutions provides insight into protein–protein interactions, and the methodology presented here demonstrates a straightforward way to determine the viscoelastic properties using ultrasonic rheology without the drawbacks of numerical fitting. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:3108–3116, 2009
Theory of the Quadratic Zeeman Effect

The experiments of Jenkins and Segr\`e, reported in the accompanying paper, are considered theoretically. The quadratic Zeeman effect observed in absorption to large orbits in strong magnetic fields is due to the diamagnetic term in the Hamiltonian, which is proportional to the square of the vector potential and hence to the square of the magnetic field. For the alkalis, the problem involves essentially only one electron, and its spin can be ignored. ${m}_{l}$ and parity are always exactly defined, while $n$ and $l$ are not. The observed spectrum can be divided up with increasing $n$ into three regions, according as the lines are broadened asymmetrically (region I), broadened further, but nearly symmetrically (region II), and broadened so much as to overlap into a continuum (region III). It is shown that region I corresponds to $n$ being a good quantum number and $l$ a fairly good one; region II to $n$ being a fairly good quantum number and $l$ not good at all; and region III to both $n$ and $l$ breaking down completely as quantum numbers. Good quantitative agreement with the experiments is obtained as long as inter-$n$ perturbations can be neglected. When this can no longer be done (large $n$), the theory becomes prohibitively complicated, although some qualitative indications can still be obtained from it.
Differential induction of heme oxygenase-1 in macrophages and hepatocytes during acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat: effects of hemin and biliverdin.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), also known as heat shock protein 32, has been shown to protect against oxidant-induced tissue injury. In the present studies, we analyzed expression of this enzyme in macrophages and hepatocytes following acetaminophen administration and its potential role in hepatotoxicity. Treatment of rats with a hepatotoxic dose of acetaminophen (1 g/kg, ip) resulted in a time-dependent induction of HO-1 in the liver. This was observed within 6 h of acetaminophen administration in both hepatocytes and macrophages. Hepatocytes were found to be more sensitive than macrophages to the effects of acetaminophen on HO-1. Up regulation of HO-1 in the liver following acetaminophen administration correlated with induction of ferritin and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). To determine if HO-1 was hepatoprotective, rats were pretreated with hemin (30 μmol/kg, ip), a potent inducer of the enzyme. Following hemin treatment, we observed a time-dependent increase in HO-1 protein in the liver and in serum bilirubin levels. Pretreatment of rats with hemin was found to prevent acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, as measured histologically and biochemically by decreased serum transaminase levels. This was correlated with more rapid increases in expression of hepatic ferritin and MnSOD. Heme metabolism via HO-1 generates biliverdin, which is rapidly converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. Pretreatment of rats with biliverdin (40 μmol/kg, ip) was also found to block acetaminophen-induced injury. These data suggest that HO-1 is an important component of antioxidant defense during acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
Development of Diabetes Attitude Scale for Health-Care Professionals

This article describes the development of a diabetes attitude scale (DAS) that was designed to measure the attitudes of health-care professionals (HCPs). The DAS was developed through the efforts of a national panel of diabetes experts. The panel developed a 60-item scale that was pilot tested and reduced to a 50-item scale. The 50-item scale was then mailed to a national sample of HCPs with an interest in diabetes. The surveys were returned by 633 nurses, 322 dietitians, 116 physicians, and 67 others totaling 1138 returns (a return rate of 54%). The returned surveys were analyzed, and a 31-item DAS composed of 8 subscales resulted. Evidence for the reliability and validity of the 31-item DAS along with the instrument itself are included in this study.
3.2 µm single spatial mode diode lasers operating at room temperature

Ridge waveguide type-I quantum-well GaSb-based diode lasers, with active regions utilizing InGaAsSb/AlInGaAsSb quantum wells, have been demonstrated to operate at temperatures as high as 40 °C with 1 mW of power at wavelengths above 3.2µm.
WE‐A‐301‐11: Low Dose Multi‐Slice Helical CT Reconstruction Using Tight Frame Regularization

Purpose: Multi‐slice helical CT has been widely used in CT diagnostic imaging due to its large coverage and short acquisition time. However, the associated high x‐ray radiation dose has become a major concern. Two straightforward ways to reduce the dose is to lower the mAs level and use high pitch. Yet, the traditional linear interpolation (LI) based filtered backprojection (FBP) reconstruction method leads to highly degraded images containing obvious imagenoise and ring artifacts around the edges under these situations. The aim of this work is to propose a novel iterative reconstruction algorithm for low dose helical CT. Methods: In our method, the helical scanning geometry and the cone angle in the multi‐slice CT are accurately modeled by proper computation of the forward projection matrix. CTimages are reconstructed by minimizing a cost function consisting of a data fidelity term and a regularization term which requires that the solution has a sparse representation under a piecewise linear Tight‐frame (TF) basis. We tested our algorithm on a digital NCAT phantom at thorax region with two different high pitches (2:1 and 2.5:1) and low mAs level. The conventional LI‐based FBP algorithm was also studied for comparison purposes. Results: The CTimagesreconstructed by LI‐based FBP method contain obvious noise and ring artifacts around the edges, while the images by our TF‐based method show better quality with less noise and smooth edges. Compared with the LI‐based FBP method, our method enhances the signal‐to‐noise ratio by a factor of about 3.5 and also leads to higher edge cross‐correlation coefficients. Conclusions: The TF‐based iterative reconstruction algorithm outperforms the LI‐based FBP method in effectively removing the imagenoise due to low mAs level and ring artifacts of edges due to high pitches in the cases studied, demonstrating its promising applications for helical CTreconstruction.
Pulsed thermo kinetic (PTK) measurements

Abstract A novel technique, pulsed thermo kinetics (PTK), for studies in catalysis has been developed. A pulsed microreactor and conventional DTA apparatus were combined to yield stimultaneous thermal and concentration peaks for a pulse of reactant or adsorbate passing over a catalyst. The method of measurement, calibration and complications are described. Possible applications to catalysis are discussed.
Differential sensitivity of different discrimination behaviors to the effects of ethanol

A dose-response analysis of the effects of ethanol on various aspects of successive discrimination performance in rats was made to assess any differential sensitivity of such behaviors to the effects of the drug. At least four sequential phases of the drug’s effect on performance were indicated: (a) a general and significant facilitatory effect on all response measures at the 0.5-g/kg dose, (b) no significant effect on any behavior at the 1.0-g/kg dose, (c) a significant depression of responding on S+ trials and during the intertrial interval concomitant with continued facilitation of responses on S− trials at the 1.5-g/kg dose, and finally (d) a depression of all response measures at the 2.5-g/kg dose. These data were discussed in terms of a model in which ethanol depresses operant response inhibitory processes at lower dose levels than it depresses processes involved in response initiation or execution.
The random walk of Azospirillum brasilense

The bacterium Azospirillum brasilense has been frequently studied in laboratory experiments. It performs movements in space where long forward and backward runs on a straight line occur simultaneously with slow changes of direction of the line. A model is presented in which a correlated random walk on a line is joined to diffusion on a sphere of directions. For this transport system, a hierarchy of moment approximations is derived, ranging from a hyperbolic system with four dependent variables to a scalar damped wave equation (telegraph equation) and then to a single diffusion equation for particle density. The original parameters are compounded in the diffusion quotient. The effects of these parameters, such as particle speed or turning rate, on the diffusion coefficient are discussed in detail.
Living Mulch Nutritive Value in a Corn-Soybean-Forage Rotation

Living mulches can function to supply forage in multifunctional cropping systems. Information quantifying nutritive value of forage plants in living mulch cropping systems is limited. Th e objective of this research was to quantify the nutritive value of forages from diff erent plant functional groups managed as living mulches in 2 of 3 yr and as a forage crop in the third year of this 3-yr corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-forage rotation. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) were evaluated in sole seedings and binary mixtures, reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were included in three-way mixtures, and a nondormant alfalfa was seeded each spring for comparison as a control. Average crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fi ber (NDF) during 2005, 2006, and 2007 was 190 and 449 g kg –1 for Kura + alfalfa + reed canarygrass compared with 182 and 458 g kg –1 averaged across birdsfoot trefoil + alfalfa + orchardgrass and Kura + alfalfa + orchardgrass mixtures, 195 and 397 g kg –1 averaged across alfalfa, Kura + alfalfa, and alfalfa + birdsfoot trefoil, and 193 and 404 g kg – 1 for the nondormant alfalfa treatment. Weed densities averaged 104, 178, and 116 weeds m –2 in 2005, 2006, and 2007 among living mulch treatments compared with 14, 84, and 67 weeds m –2 in the nondormant
Regulation of uterine hsp90α, hsp72 and HSF-1 transcription in B6C3F1 mice by β-estradiol and bisphenol A: involvement of the estrogen receptor and protein kinase C

We have previously demonstrated that bisphenol A (BPA)- and beta-estradiol (E2)-induced increases in uterine weight and heat shock protein (hsp) 90alpha and hsp72 levels are mediated through the estrogen receptor (ER). It is not, however, clear if BPA and E2 regulation of hsps is at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. Therefore, in this study we examined the ability of BPA and E2 to increase uterine weight and regulate transcription of these hsps and of heat shock factor (HSF)-1 in ovariectomized B6C3F1 mice at 6 or 24 h after a single subcutaneous injection of E2 (1 microg/kg) or BPA (100 mg/kg). The role of the ER and protein kinase C (PKC) in these E2 and BPA effects was evaluated by co-administration of the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 (5 mg/kg) or the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X (0.5 mg/kg), respectively. The results demonstrated ER involvement in uterine weight increases. Uterine hsp mRNA levels are increased by E2 and BPA through a direct effect on their transcription and/or, in the case of E2, through an increase in HSF-1 mRNA. PKC is involved in the BPA-induced increases in hsp90alpha mRNA levels. We conclude that E2 and BPA regulate hsp90alpha and hsp72alpha transcription via similar and distinct pathways.
A pharmacokinetic model for chromium

Reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI) to trivalent chromium (Cr(III) and differential kinetics of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) are important determinants of the disposition and toxicity of chromium. A physiologically based model of chromium disposition in the rat has been developed. The model takes into account different absorption and reduction rates in the lung and gastrointestinal tract; different efficiencies of transfer of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) into tissues including erythrocytes, where Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III) and retained for an extended period of time; uptake and storage in bone; and reabsorption of chromium from the gastrointestinal tract. The model is shown to be capable of generating the observed distributions of chromium between plasma and erythrocytes in rats given Cr(VI) intragastrically, intraduodenally, or intratracheally.
Dividend Size, Yield, Clienteles and REITs

Dividend size and dividend yield are typically highly correlated which substantially hinders the empirical assessment of ex-dividend stock pricing. The ability to disentangle the joint effect of dividend yield and dividend size on ex-dividend stock prices is thus of central importance in assessing existing theories. Fortunately, the REIT asset class provides data having a low correlation between dividend size and dividend yield allowing for a cleaner assessment of the extant theories. Evidence from the present study indicates that results that are typically interpreted as confirmatory of the tax-induced clientele effect may be spurious. Instead, transaction costs and limit order adjustments are likely the determinants of the observed relationships between the change in price to dividend ratio, dividend yield, and dividend size.
Normality of powers implies compactness

In this note we give a short proof for the theorem of N. Noble which asserts that each power of a T1-space being normal implies that the space is compact. Recently N. Noble proved the following result: 1. (NOBLE [N].) If each power of a T,-space is normal, then the space is compact. This remarkable theorem has been applied by Herrlich and Strecker [H-S] and by Franklin, Lutzer and Thomas [F-L-T] to give two different categorical characterizations of the category of compact Hausdorff spaces as a subcategory of the Hausdorff spaces. Noble's original proof derived this theorem as a corollary of a more complicated one which in turn depended on a long chain of previous results of Noble and others. Keesling has given a short and very elegant derivation of Noble's theorem from two well-known theorems, one of Stone (see ?2 below) and one of Morita [K]. Our purpose in this note is to present another short' proof of Noble's theorem which may point the way to an elementary proof, i.e., one which proceeds directly from the definitions without relying on any powerful theorem along the way. Our nonelementary proof relies on theorems of Stone and Glicksberg: 2. (STONE [S].) If a product of T1-spaces is normal, all but at most a countable number of the factor spaces must be countably compact. 3. (GLICKSBERG [G].) If X is completely regular, then the identity map on any pseudocompact power X' extends to a homeomorphism from f3(X') to (/3X) . PROOF OF 1. Let Xm be an uncountable power of X. Since (Xm)'=XI, XI must be countably compact by 2 and is therefore pseudocompact. We Received by the editors December 28, 1971. AMS 1970 subject classqilcations. Primary 54B10, 54D30; Secondary 54D15, 54D35.
Adaptation of the rat liver tyrosine-α-ketoglutarate transaminase

Abstract Adaptive increase of the tyrosine-α-ketoglutarate transaminase occurred in the livers of rats following injections of tyrosine or of hydrocortisone. The increases were as great as 10-fold and occurred in 5 hours. Analysis showed that hydrocortisone itself was a sufficient inducing stimulus. Tyrosine was an effective inducing stimulus only if the adrenal glands or hydrocortisone also were present.
Permeabilities and water vapor transmission rates for commercial polymer films

High molecular weight polymers have become well established as packaging or container materials. Unlike metallic and ceramic barriers, however, polymer films are known for their semipermeable nature; that is, they permit small gaseous and vapor molecules to migrate through their atomic/molecular structures. Since the intrusion of oxygen/water from the surrounding air or the loss of water/carbon dioxide from a packaged product can be detrimental to the shelf life of the product, the steady state transmission rate of a polymer film has become an important property characteristic of polymers to be used for packaging. An attempt has been made in this study to review the transmission data of commercially available polymer films. The three molecular species O2, CO2, and H2O were of particular interest. Since these permeability data vary over five orders of magnitude, several log-log plots were constructed in order to assist decision making in film selections. Data for 34 different polymers are given. The effects of order or crystallinity, the presence of plasticizers, and the effects of laminated layering are discernible. It is the latter modification (laminating) that possesses demonstrable potential for improving the barrier properties of polymer films used for packaging purposes.
Correlation effects on the energy band of Ni

The experimental band structure of Ni obtained by Eastman et al., using angle-resolved photoemission, differs markedly in several respects from the self-consistently calculated bands of Wang and Callaway. We demonstrate that two major discrepancies may be accounted for by correlation effects: (i) band narrowing for which several models, none of them entirely satisfactory, have been proposed and (ii) a reduction in the exchange splitting well in excess of that obtained using the von Barth-Hedin potential for which we present a simple calculation.
Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Treatment of Sorghum Silage on Lactation of Cows and on In Vitro Digestion

Abstract About 40 t of chopped sorghum forage (silage variety) was treated with 4% (by weight dry) sodium hydroxide at ensiling in a plastic bag. Another 40 t of the forage was ensiled without treatment in the same bag. Early in fermentation pH was higher in treated forage, but by day 21 pH was about 4.0, and amounts of acid were similar in treated and control silage. In a feeding trial eight cows receiving treated silage after 6-wk ensiling produced 21.2kg milk with 2.83% fat; eight cows fed control silage produced 19.9kg milk containing 2.77% fat. Mean in vitro dry matter disappearance was 58.8 and 52.1% for weekly samples of treated and control silage. Freeze-dried samples of both treated and control silages were treated with an additional 4% sodium hydroxide and 1% nitrogen from urea (by weight dry) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Laboratory treatment with alkali increased in vitro dry matter disappearance of dried sorghum silage and interacted significantly with nitrogen supplementation. Apparently treatment of wet sorghum forage with 4% dry sodium hydroxide produced a satisfactory feed but did not achieve maximum improvement in in vitro dry matter disappearance of the silage.
Origins of tropical pacific decadal variability: Role of stochastic atmospheric forcing from the South Pacific

AbstractBased on the analysis of multicentury–millennium integrations of an atmospheric model coupled to the ocean with varying degrees, it is argued that ENSO-like decadal variability is primarily driven by stochastic atmospheric forcing. In particular, the leading mode of internal atmospheric variability over the South Pacific, which projects onto the Pacific–South American (PSA) pattern, plays an important role in modulating the trade winds and sea surface temperature (SST) in the southeast tropical Pacific. Subsequent ocean–atmosphere interactions organize a basinwide SST anomaly pattern in the tropics, which in turn forces atmospheric Rossby waves into the extratropics, reinforcing the PSA pattern and inducing coherent decadal changes in the North Pacific. In the absence of ocean dynamics, equatorial SST variability is reduced and the North Pacific exhibits decadal variability independent of the tropical–South Pacific. The strong tropical–South Pacific linkage may be attributed to the equatorially as...
Improving End-of-Life Decision-Making About Resuscitation and Intubation.

Dying patients receive numerous interventions, frequently with little likelihood of benefit. Overuse of invasive interventions has major quality of life, psychosocial and economic impact for patients, caregivers and health systems. Such treatment can be inconsistent with patient preferences and often occurs only because it is the default in the absence of active decision-making. Although documenting and following patients’ end-of-life care preferences are recommended quality indicators1 and patient safety strategies2 for patients with serious illness, discussions about these issues and documentation in the medical record usually do not occur.
The Anthropic Coincidences, Evil and The Disconfirmation of Theism

The anthropic principle or the associated anthropic coincidences have been used by philosophers such as John Leslie (1989), William Lane Craig (1988) and Richard Swinburne (1990) to support the thesis that God exists. In this paper I shall examine Swinburne's argument from the anthropic coincidences. I will show that Swinburne's premises, coupled with his principle of credulity and the failure of his theodicy in The Existence of God , disconfirms theism and confirms instead the hypothesis that there exists a malevolent creator of the universe.
The influence of ethnicity and generational status on parent and family relations among Chinese and Filipino adolescents.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of ethnic and generational differences on perceptions about parent and family relationships in a nationally representative sample of Chinese and Filipino adolescents living in the United States. Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study, utilizing data from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health. Sample: The sample was weighted to produce a nationally representative sample, based on 216 self-identified Chinese and 387 self-identified Filipino adolescents. Results: Results indicated that generational status plays a role in predicting how adolescents perceive the parent–adolescent relationship. Conclusions: Findings provide a basis by which community health nurses can begin to understand the uniqueness of Asian subgroups, as well as generations of immigrant youth.
Effective Electron-Hole Interaction for Intermediate and Strong Electron-Phonon Coupling A Comment

The values are calculated of the binding energy of a Wannier exciton in several polar crystals including thallous halides and cuprous chloride using both the potential derived by Barentzen and Haken's potential. It is found, contrary to what is claimed by Barentzen, that the values of the binding energy obtained from these two different effective interaction potentials hardly differ from each other. The reason why this is so is discussed. Es werden die Werte der Bindungsenergie eines Wannier-Exzitons in verschiedenen polaren Kristallen einschlieslich der Thaliumhalogenide und Kupferchlorid sowohl mit dem von Barentzen abgeleiteten Potential als auch mit dem Hakenschen Potential berechnet. Im Gegensatz zu den Ergebnissen von Barentzen wird gefunden, das die Werte der Bindungsenergie, die aus diesen beiden unterschiedlichen effektiven Wechselwirkungspotentialen erhalten werden, sich kaum von-einander unterscheiden. Der Grund dafiir wird diskutiert.
Strategies to develop methods using ion-molecule reactions in a quadrupole reaction cell to overcome spectral overlaps in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

ICP-MS instruments that use ion-molecule reactions to overcome spectral overlaps are becoming more widely available. Strategies to develop methods that use ion-molecule reactions in a quadrupole reaction cell are systematically described. Ion-molecule reactions may be used to remove the spectral overlap ion so that the analyte elemental ion can be measured with little background. Alternatively, ion-molecule reactions can be used to produce a new analyte-containing product ion at a higher mass where the background is low. Considerations for each approach including selection of the reaction gas, adjustment of the reaction cell bandpass and optimization of the gas flow rate are discussed. Examples are given with available kinetic rate constants, thermodynamic data and experimental ICP-MS measurements to illustrate each consideration in development of methods using ion-molecule reactions. Rejection of reactant ions from the cell in order to prevent generation of undesired reaction product ions is quantitatively assessed.
Generation and characterization of hammerhead ribozymes targeting rodent metallothionein-I and -II ribonucleic acid

Two trans-acting hammerhead ribozymes (Rzs), Rz1-2 and Rz4-9, were designed and shown to be effective in cleaving rat or mouse metallothenein (MT)-I and MT-II mRNA, respectively, at position +147/148, in a sequence-specific manner. The catalytic efficiency for Rz1-2 on rat MT-I was found to be 678 M(-1)s(-1) and that for Rz4-9 on rat MT-II cRNA was found to be 372 M(-1)s(-1). An expression vector, pRz(4-9/1-2), containing both Rzs linked in tandem, was constructed and used to transfect NbE-1 cells, an immortalized ventral prostate epithelial cell line. Two stable-transfected lines, NbE-1(Rz2) and NbE-1(Rz3), expressing substantial levels of (Rz1-2/Rz4-9) and minimal levels of MT-I and MT-II transcripts were found to exhibit increased sensitivity to cadmium (Cd)-induced cytotoxicity compared to the parent line. This article is the first to report successful degradation of rodent MT mRNA in vitro and in cellulo by hammerhead Rzs.
Anatomical basis for biophysical differences between Pinus nigra and P. resinosa (Pinaceae) leaves

Differences in the fl exibility of Pinus nigra and P. resinosa leaves can be used to discriminate these two similarly looking pine species from one another. When bent along the longitudinal axis, P. resinosa leaves snap, while P. nigra leaves appear fl exible. This useful fi eld test has had no known biophysical or anatomical explanation until now. Analysis of the fi rst order mechanics of bending and buckling of the pine needles was used to elucidate any important anatomical differences between these two species that can account for their different biophysical behaviors when bent. Neither the cross section of the total leaf area nor the inner core area between the two species differed signifi cantly. Differences in the pattern of cell wall thickening and lignifi cation of the endodermal layer of the inner core of the leaves best explain the differences in bending behavior. Thus, subtle variation in anatomy can infl uence the biophysical properties of naturally occurring structures, which in turn could have important implications for the engineering of manufactured objects.
GTP binding proteins and signal transduction in the human neutrophil

Article synthyese sur les proteines G, proteines de liaison du GTP a la surface cellulaire de neutrophiles humains et le mecanisme de transduction du signal dans les neutrophiles permettant leur activation
Hydration effects on the electrostatic potential around tuftsin

The electrostatic potential and component dielectric constants from molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories of tuftsin, a tetrapeptide with the amino acid sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg in water and in saline solution are presented. The results obtained from the analysis of the MD trajectories for the total electrostatic potential at points on a grid using the Ewald technique are compared with the solution to the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation. The latter was solved using several sets of dielectric constant parameters. The effects of structural averaging on the PB results were also considered. Solute conformational mobility in simulations gives rise to an electrostatic potential map around the solute dominated by the solute monopole (or lowest order multipole). The detailed spatial variation of the electrostatic potential on the molecular surface brought about by the compounded effects of the distribution of water and ions close to the peptide, solvent mobility, and solute conformational mobility are not qualitatively reproducible from a reparametrization of the input solute and solvent dielectric constants to the PB equation for a single structure or for structurally averaged PB calculations. Nevertheless, by fitting the PB to the MD electrostatic potential surfaces with the dielectric constants as fitting parameters, we found that the values that give the best fit are the values calculated from the MD trajectories. Implications of using such field calculations on the design of tuftsin peptide analogues are discussed.
Metabolic control analysis applied to mitochondrial networks

To understand the control and regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism a generalized matrix method of Metabolic Control Analysis has been applied to a computational model of mitochondrial energetics. The computational model of Cortassa et al. (2003) encompasses oxidative phosphorylation, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and ion dynamics across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Control of respiration and ATP synthesis fluxes were found to be distributed among various mitochondrial processes. Control is shared by processes associated with ATP synthesis and ATP/ADP transport, as well as by Ca2+ dynamics. The analysis of flux control coefficients and response coefficients has led to the notion of control by diffuse loops, that points to the regulatory interactions exerted by processes that are mechanistically only indirectly related with each other. The approach we have utilized demonstrates how properties of integrated systems may be understood through applications of computational modeling and control analysis.
AI and scientific revolution

Artificial intelligence, as a field of scientific endeavor, is significantly different from all other fields of computer science. I would like to consider, for a moment, certain of these significant differences, as dispassionately as possible.