cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of Mg2+ and guanine nucleotide exchange factor on the binding of guanine nucleotides to eukaryotic initiation factor 2.

A major site of regulation of polypeptide chain initiation is the binding of Met-tRNA to 40 S ribosomal subunits which is mediated by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2). The formation of ternary complex, eIF-2.GTP.Met-tRNA, is potently inhibited by GDP. Measurement of the parameters for guanine nucleotide binding to eIF-2 is critical to understanding the control of protein synthesis by fluctuations in cellular energy levels. We have compared the dissociation constants (Kd) of eIF-2.GDP and eIF-2.GTP and find that GDP has a 400-fold higher affinity for GDP than GTP. The Kd for GDP is almost an order of magnitude less than has been reported previously. The difference between the Kd values for the two nucleotides is the result of a faster rate constant for GTP release, the rate constants for binding being approximately equal. This combination of rate constants and low levels of contaminating GDP in preparations of GTP can explain the apparently unstable nature of eIF-2.GTP observed by others. Mg2+ stabilizes binary complexes slowing the rates of release of nucleotide from both eIF-2.GDP and eIF-2.GTP. The competition between GTP and GDP for binding to eIF-2.guanine nucleotide exchange factor complex has been measured. A 10-fold higher GTP concentration than GDP is required to reduce [32P] GDP binding to eIF-2.guanine nucleotide exchange factor complex by 50%. The relevance of this competition to the regulation of protein synthesis by energy levels is discussed.
NPS: a non-interfering deployable web perfectching system

We present NPS, a novel non-intrusive web prefetching system that (1) utilizes only spare resources to avoid interference between prefetch and demand requests at the server as well as in the network , and (2) is deployable without any modifications to servers, browsers, network or the HTTP protocol. NPS's self-tuning architecture eliminates the need for traditional "thresholds" or magic numbers typically used to limit interference caused by prefetching, thereby allowing applications to improve benefits and reduce the risk of aggressive prefetching. NPS avoids interference with demand requests by monitoring the responsiveness of the server and accordingly throttling the prefetch aggressiveness, and by using TCP-Nice, a congestion control protocol suitable for low priority transfers. NPS avoids the need to modify existing infrastructure by modifying HTML pages to include JavascriptTM code that issues prefetch requests and by wrapping the server infrastructure with several simple external modules that require no knowledge of or no modifications to the internals of existing servers. Our measurements of the prototype under a web trace indicate that NPS is both non-interfering and efficient under different network load and server load conditions. For example, in our experiments with a loaded server with little spare capacity, we observe that a threshold-based prefetching scheme causes response times to increase by a factor of 2 due to interference, whereas prefetching using NPS decreases response times by 25%.
The Role of Oxidative Stress in Nanotoxicology

The application of systems biology approaches is gaining popularity in the nanoparticle toxicology research (Brandenberger, 2010; Oberdorster, Oberdorster and Oberdorster, 2005; Nyland and Silbergeld, 2009). Over the past few years, there has been a movement toward describing and characterizing trends in nanotoxicological data sets. In order to interpret these observed trends, the use of a holistic perspective may be appropriate. One of the cornerstones of systems biology is the use of experimental and computational models. Nanotoxicology could benefit from these efforts. Both systems biology and nanotoxicology attempt to discover emergent properties of a system and link those properties, using a variety of techniques to environmental and human health. While the investigations in the field of systems biology are frequently large in scale, nanotoxicology has yet to accomplish this feat, to date. Both fields require an interdisciplinary approach from experimentalists (biologist, chemists, toxicologists, and risk assessors) and quantitative scientists (biostatisticians, mathematicians, computer scientists, and engineers). Together, their efforts can be coordinated to improve the quality of science and to create, refine, and retest the experimental and computational models to accurately reflect, and eventually predict, biological, and toxicological observations. Keywords: nanoparticles; oxidative stress; cellular uptake; reactive oxygen species (ROS); fluorescent probes; confocal microscopy; redox states; antioxidants
iPads and Teacher Education: Exploring a 1:1 Initiative in a Professional Development School Partnership

AbstractThis study explores the experiences of elementary education teacher candidates in a Professional Development School Partnership that included a 1:1 iPad initiative. The teacher candidates in the year-long cohort were each given their own iPad to use in their coursework and field experience. Observation, survey, and interview data were collected to explore how the teacher candidates integrated the iPad into their teaching and learning. Using Rogers's (2003) Diffusion of Innovation framework, it was found that teacher candidates experienced a developmental process in their use of the iPad that resulted in some candidates reinventing their teaching approach and others remaining stagnant in regard to technology integration.
The Brilliant Bandit of the Wabash: The Life of the Notorious Outlaw Frank Rande

Review of: "The Brilliant Bandit of the Wabash: The Life of the Notorious Outlaw Frank Rande," by Mark Dugan, with Anna Vasconcelles.
The Primary Structure of the Porcine Pancreatic Secretory Trypsin Inhibitor I AMINO ACID SEQUENCE OF THE REDUCED S-AMINOETHYLATED PROTEIN

Abstract The amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor I (Greene, L. J., Dicarlo, J. J., Sussman, A. J., Bartelt, D. C., and Roark, D. E., J. Biol. Chem., 243, 1804 (1968)) was determined by a combination of selective trypsin and chymotrypsin hydrolysis reactions and conventional methods for sequence determination of small peptides. Arginine-directed cleavage was achieved by blocking lysyl and S-2-aminoethylcysteinyl residues with maleic anhydride. Hydrolysis of lysyl bonds in peptides containing S-2-aminoethylcysteine was accomplished by trypsin at pH 11.0. All of the overlap information required to order the small peptides was obtained by the identification of the amino- and carboxy-terminal residues of the products at each stage of the degradative procedure. The yields of the peptides, 38 to 93%, compared favorably with those obtained by the conventional complete trypsin hydrolysis of the bovine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor, a molecule of the same size and similar structure. The amino acid sequence of the porcine inhibitor has been shown to be [see PDF for sequence]. This sequence exhibits 12 differences in 56 amino acid residues per molecule from that of the bovine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (Greene, L. J., and Bartelt, D. C., J. Biol. Chem., 244, 2646 (1969)).
Expert witness: a computer science emphasis

Expert witness testimony is an essential factor in computer forensics work. Any computer scientist who engages in computer forensics work may eventually be called upon to testify in a court of law and to render an opinion about computer evidence. This paper outlines issues relevant to computer scientists who may be called upon to perform as an expert witness. Laws, as well as opinions are presented
Feasibility of imaging pentose cycle glucose metabolism in gliomas with PET : Studies in rat brain tumor models

The feasibility of imaging pentose cycle (PC) glucose utilization in human gliomas with PET was explored in two rat glioma models by means of glucose radiolabeled in either the carbon-1 (C-1) or carbon-6 (C-6) position. Methods: In vitro, monolayers of T-36B-10 glioma, tissue slices of intracerebral glioma grafts or slices of normal brain were fed [1- 14 C]glucose or [6- 14 C]glucose, and the generated [ 14 C]CO 2 was trapped to quantitate the ratio of [ 14 C]CO 2 from 14 C-1 versus 14 C-6. In vivo, rats bearing grafts of either T-36B-10 or T-C6 rat gliomas at six subcutaneous sites received simultaneous intravenous injections of either [1- 11 C]glucose and [6- 14 C]glucose, or [1- 14 C]glucose and [6- 11 C]glucose. Tumors were excised between 5 and 55 min postinjection to quantify tracer uptake while arterial plasma was collected to derive time-activity input curves. Results: In vitro, the C-1/C-6 ratio for CO 2 production from T-36B-10 monolayers was 8.8 ± 0.4 (s.d.), in glioma slices it was 6.1 ± 2.1 and in normal brain slices it was 1.1 ± 0.7. PC metabolism in T-36B-10 was 1.8% ± 0.5 of total glucose utilization. In vivo, tumor radioactivity levels normalized by plasma isotopic glucose levels showed that retained C-1 relative to C-6 radiolabeled glucose was significantly lower in both gliomas, 4.9% lower in T-36B-10 (p < 0.01) and 4.7% lower in T-C6 (p < 0.01). In an additional group of rats bearing T-36B-10 gliomas and exposed to 10 Gy of 137 Cs irradiation 4 hr before isotope injection, the C-1 level was 5.6% lower than that for C-6 (p < 0.05). These results were analyzed with a model of glucose metabolism that simultaneously optimized parameters for C-1 and C-6 glucose kinetics by simulating the C-1 and C-6 tumor time-activity curves. The rate constant for loss of radiolabeled carbon from the tumors, k4, was higher for C-1 than for C-6 in all groups of rats (19% higher for T-36B-10 unirradiated, 32% for T-36B-10 irradiated and 32% for T-C6 unirradiated). Conclusion: Mathematical modeling, Monte Carlo simulations and construction of receiver-operator-characteristic curves show that if human gliomas have a similar fractional use of the PC, it should be measurable with PET using sequential studies with [1- 11 C]glucose and [6- 11 C]glucose.
A solution-phase route to a tetraethynylated (cyclobutadiene)cyclopentadienylcobalt complex with a para-(1,3,2,4)-substitution pattern

The synthesis of a tetraethynylated, CpCo-stabilized cyclobutadiene complex via a metalation/carbonylation/alkynylation route is reported; this synthetic sequence allows, for the first time, the solution phase synthesis of a tetraethynylcyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt derivative, and sorts the four alkyne substituents into two para-related groups.
Pathogenic aquaporin-4 reactive T cells are sufficient to induce mouse model of neuromyelitis optica

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease primarily targeting the spinal cord and optic nerve leading to paralysis and blindness. The discovery of an antibody against the astrocytic water channel, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), in the majority of patients, has led to the presumption that the antibody was necessary for disease pathogenesis. The potential role of T cells in the central nervous system, however, has not been thoroughly examined. We generated an anti-AQP4 antibody seronegative model of NMO using pathogenic AQP4-reactive T cells in mice by immunizing AQP4 null mice with peptides corresponding to the second extracellular loop of AQP4, loop C. When polarized to a Th17 phenotype and transferred to wild-type mice, these cells caused tail and limb weakness. Histology showed demyelination and T cell infiltration in the spinal cord, optic nerve and brain. Animals receiving cells re-stimulated in culture with non-specific proteins resulted in no behavioral disease, indicating that specific targeting of AQP4 is essential for this phenotype. In summary, we show that AQP4-reactive T cells are sufficient to trigger an NMO-like disease in mice, independent of antibodies, indicating that pathogenic AQP4-reactive T cells may play a similar role in humans.
Structures of Atg7-Atg3 and Atg7-Atg10 reveal noncanonical mechanisms of E2 recruitment by the autophagy E1

Central to most forms of autophagy are two ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs), Atg8 and Atg12, which play important roles in autophagosome biogenesis, substrate recruitment to autophagosomes, and other aspects of autophagy. Typically, UBLs are activated by an E1 enzyme that (1) catalyzes adenylation of the UBL C terminus, (2) transiently covalently captures the UBL through a reactive thioester bond between the E1 active site cysteine and the UBL C terminus, and (3) promotes transfer of the UBL C terminus to the catalytic cysteine of an E2 conjugating enzyme. The E2, and often an E3 ligase enzyme, catalyzes attachment of the UBL C terminus to a primary amine group on a substrate. Here, we summarize our recent work reporting the structural and mechanistic basis for E1-E2 protein interactions in autophagy.
Rayleigh-Bénard Convection in a Small Aspect Ratio Enclosure: Part II—Bifurcation to Chaos

The present numerical study documents bifurcation sequences for Rayleigh-Benard convection in a rectangular enclosure with insulated sidewalls. The aspect ratios are 3.5 and 2.1 and the Boussinesq fluid is water (average temperature of 70 o C) with a Prandtl number of 2.5. The transition to chaos observed in the simulations and experiments is similar to the period-doubling (Feigenbaum) route to chaos. However, special symmetry conditions must be imposed numerically, otherwise the route to chaos is different (Ruelle-Takens-Newhouse). In particular, the Feigenbaum route to chaos can be realized only if the oscillating velocity and temperature field preserves the fourfold symmetry that is observed in the mean flow in the horizontal plane
LEEM investigations of surfaces using a beam of energetic self‐ions

This article reviews recent research using a low-energy electron microscope, built by Tromp at IBM, and equipped with an accelerator that permits in situ irradiation with a beam of self-ions. The available ion energies of 20 eV to 5 keV span the range from epitaxial growth by a hyperthermal beam to sputtering at the level of approximately 10 atoms per incident ion. The design criteria and instrument calibration are described. The research described is surface science that requires a vacuum maintained below 10(-10) Torr, with all components contained in the same vacuum. Two general categories of applications are sketched. Experiments that accurately measure important physical quantities include surface mass diffusion over an extended temperature range; determining the critical chemical potential at which island nucleation occurs; observation and explanation of the universal evolution by which adatom and advacancy islands both grow and shrink by beam-driven processes; and the study of sublimation (regarded as negative ion beam intensity). Experiments described here with other goals include beam-assisted synthesis first of large pans and mesas for isolating surface experiments (e.g., nucleation) from the surrounding crystal, and second of Fourier waves on steps, for studies of diffusive relaxation. Operation of exotic structures including Bardeen-Herring sources and Frank growth spirals deformed by crystal anisotropy are also described.
Histone deacetylase-dependent establishment and maintenance of broad low-level histone acetylation within a tissue-specific chromatin domain.

The murine beta-globin locus in adult erythroid cells is characterized by a broad pattern of erythroid-specific histone acetylation. The embryonic beta-globin genes Ey and betaH1 are located in a approximately 30 kb central subdomain characterized by low-level histone acetylation, while the fetal/adult genes betamajor and betaminor and the upstream locus control region reside in hyperacetylated chromatin. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors induce H4 acetylation at the Ey promoter [Forsberg, E. C., Downs, K. M., Christensen, H. M., Im, H., Nuzzi, P. A., and Bresnick, E. H. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 14494-14499], indicating that HDACs maintain low-level H4 acetylation at this site. Since little is known about the establishment of broad histone modification patterns, we asked whether this mechanism applies only to the promoter or to the entire subdomain. We show that the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A induces H4 hyperacetylation at multiple sites within the subdomain in erythroid cells. The hematopoietic factors p45/NF-E2, GATA-1, and erythroid kruppel-like factor (EKLF), which function through cis elements of the beta-globin locus, were not required for induction of H4 hyperacetylation. Analysis of chromatin structure within the subdomain revealed low accessibility to restriction endonucleases and nearly complete CpG dinucleotide methylation. Induction of H4 hyperacetylation did not restore hallmark features of transcriptionally active chromatin. We propose that an HDAC-dependent surveillance mechanism counteracts constitutive histone acetyltransferase (HAT) access, thereby maintaining low-level H4 acetylation throughout the subdomain.
BARRIERS TO UPSTREAM ADMINISTRATION OF BIVALIRUDIN IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH HIGH RISK NON-ST ELEVATION ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES

High risk non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (HR-NSTE ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), have a lower risk of bleeding with bivalirudin (BV) compared to unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor. We implemented a single center pilot protocol
The NZM2410‐derived lupus susceptibility locus Sle2c1 increases Th17 polarization and induces nephritis in fas‐deficient mice

Objective Sle2 is a lupus susceptibility locus that has been linked to glomerulonephritis in the NZM2410 mouse. By itself, Sle2 does not induce any autoimmune pathology but results in the accumulation of B-1a cells. This study was designed to assess the contribution of Sle2 to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Methods Sle2 or its subcongenic intervals (Sle2a, Sle2b, and Sle2c1) were bred to Fas-deficient B6.lpr mice. Lymphoid phenotypes, which were focused on T cells, were assessed by flow cytometry, and histopathologic changes were compared between cohorts of B6.Sle2.lpr congenic mice and B6.lpr mice of ages up to 6 months. Results Sle2 synergized with lpr, resulting in a greatly accelerated lymphadenopathy that largely targeted T cells and mapped to the Sle2c1 locus. This locus has been identified as the main contributor to B-1a cell expansion. Further analyses showed that Sle2c1 expression skewed the differentiation and polarization of Fas-deficient T cells, with a reduction of the CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cell subset and an expansion of the Th17 cells. This was associated with a high number of T cell infiltrates that promoted severe nephritis and dermatitis in the B6.Sle2c1.lpr mice. Conclusion These results show that Sle2c1 contributes to lupus pathogenesis by affecting T cell differentiation in combination with other susceptibility loci, such as lpr. The significance of the cosegregation of this phenotype and B-1a cell expansion in Sle2c1-expressing mice in relation to the pathogenesis of lupus is discussed.
Effect of positive-energy orbitals on the photoionization cross sections and oscillator strengths of He and divalent atoms.

The effect of the positive-energy continuum orbitals to the photoionization and bound-bound transitions in He and Mg-like divalent Al{sup +} ion is estimated quantitatively in a {ital B}-spline-based configuration-interaction calculation. Our calculation has also shown that the theoretical uncertainty in radiative lifetimes measured in terms of the difference between the length and velocity results, due to the use of a parametrized long-range dipole core-polarization potential, is approximately 1--3 % for the Mg-like divalent Al{sup +} ion.
Linguistic Features of Middle School Environmental Education Texts.

Summary The language used in environmental education texts has linguistic features that affect students' comprehension of concepts and their ability to envision solutions to environmental education problems. This paper shows what 143 middle school students focused on and what they failed to focus on when reading texts about biodiversity issues and identifies linguistic features of the texts that can account for this. Since much evaluation of students' knowledge of academic subjects, including environmental education, is done through reading and writing assignments, it is important to examine how environmental education texts present issues to students and what students write after reading environmental education texts. We suggest that features of texts such as abstract nouns and lack of explicit agents impede students' full comprehension of complex issues and obscure the causes and solutions to environmental problems. We present guidelines for teachers and materials writers to make abstract concepts more ...
Late Adolescent Expression of GluN2B Transmission in the Prefrontal Cortex Is Input-Specific and Requires Postsynaptic Protein Kinase A and D1 Dopamine Receptor Signaling

Background Refinement of mature cognitive functions, such as working memory and decision making, typically takes place during adolescence. The acquisition of these functions is linked to the protracted development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dopamine facilitation of glutamatergic transmission. However, the mechanisms that support these changes during adolescence remain elusive. Methods Electrophysiological recordings (in vitro and in vivo) combined with pharmacologic manipulations were employed to determine how N -methyl-D-aspartate transmission in the medial PFC changes during the adolescent transition to adulthood. The relative contribution of GluN2B transmission and its modulation by postsynaptic protein kinase A and D1 receptor signaling were determined in two distinct age groups of rats: postnatal day (P)25 to P40 and P50 to P80. Results We found that only N -methyl-D-aspartate receptor transmission onto the apical dendrite of layer V pyramidal neurons undergoes late adolescent remodeling due to a functional emergence of GluN2B function after P40. Both protein kinase A and dopamine D1 receptor signaling are required for the functional expression of GluN2B transmission and to sustain PFC plasticity in response to ventral hippocampal, but not basolateral amygdala, inputs. Conclusions Thus, the late adolescent acquisition of GluN2B function provides a mechanism for dopamine D1-mediated regulation of PFC responses in an input-specific manner.
Radiocopper in Diagnosing Liver Disease

Abstract Various abnormalities of copper metabolism are demonstrable after administration of radiocopper to patients with Wilson's disease. These include marked diminution of incorporation of the isotope into serum ceruloplasmin; prolongation of whole-body and hepatic radiocopper turnovers; inconstant diminution of hepatic uptake and consequent delayed clearance of copper from plasma; and increased urinary and diminished biliary and fecal excretion of radiocopper. Based on these abnormalities, empirical tests have been devised that are helpful but not capable of indicating with certainty whether a patient is homozygous or heterozygous for the "Wilson's disease gene" or of distinguishing a patient with a rion-Wilsonian form of liver disease. In young patients with juvenile cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, in whom liver biopsy, the definitive diagnostic test in such patients, may be contraindicated, several studies with radiocopper may constitute the only feasible way to establish or rule out Wilson's disease.
Photoluminescence and Raman studies of Xe ion-implanted diamonds: Dependence on implantation dose

Abstract We report on photoluminescence and Raman studies of Xe ion-implanted diamond. Several natural and high-purity artificial diamonds implanted within the wide dose range of 10 10 –5×10 14 ion/cm 2 were studied. The room temperature luminescence of the Xe center consists of two zero phonon lines, at 813 nm (strong) and 794 nm (weak). The dose dependences of photoluminescence and Raman spectra were studied. For doses less than 10 13 ion/cm 2 , the luminescence intensity grows with the implantation dose linearly. The defect-induced photoluminescence quenching was observed for doses equal or more than 10 13 ion/cm 2 . Possible models of the Xe center will be discussed. The nature of damages induced by ion implantation at different doses was analyzed using micro-Raman spectroscopy.
Longitudinal Impact of Toddlers' Exposure to Domestic Violence

This study assessed how exposure to domestic violence (DV) during early childhood and increases in exposure over time influenced toddlers' behavior and peer problems, physical health, and cognitive abilities in middle childhood. Data from three waves of the survey component of “Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study” were assessed. Thirty-five percent of the 2- to 4-year-olds had mothers who reported DV victimization; 16% reported an increase in DV victimization over 2 years. Opposing past literature, none of the middle childhood outcomes were significantly influenced by early DV exposure. However, increases in mother's DV victimization from 1999 to 2001 significantly increased children's internalizing and externalizing problems and marginally decreased their school engagement in middle childhood in 2005.
Mechanical distortions in advanced photomasks

Finite element (FE) models have been developed to determine mechanical distortions produced by photomask - blank fabrication. The fabrication process involves the deposition of stressed thin films and the removal of parts of those films, the latter of which is referred to as pattern transfer. By creating a model of the substrate with thin layers associated with the mask fabrication process, then by prestressing these layers and simulating pattern transfer, the resulting out-of-plane displacements (OPD) and in-plane distortions (IPD) can be identified. Pattern-specific, global distortions induced during pattern transfer have been calculated for both dark and light field masks.
Unit responses in the metathoracic ganglion of the flying locust

Abstract 1. 1. Microelectrode unit recordings obtained from the metathoracic ganglia of flying locusts did not reveal any flight rhythm interneuronal pacemakers. If such units are present, they are not accessible for detailed electrophysiological examination. 2. 2. The detection of units responding to tactile and visual stimulation whose impulse discharge patterns were coupled with the flight rhythm provides evidence for the diffuse nature of the neural network which generates the flight pattern.
Controlling Federal Agencies: The Contingent Impact of External Controls on Worker Discretion and Productivity

ABSTRACT Previous scholarship has investigated why legislatures sometimes choose to delegate policy choice to executive agencies, but there is little research on the consequences of the choice to delegate or not. Using a multiple principal-agent framework, this paper provides empirical evidence regarding the impact of legislative delegation and agency discretion on the work of U.S. government employees. Findings suggest that delegation directly reduces employee discretion only in client service agencies; its direct effects on employee productivity are more evident but varied. Legislative delegation is also associated with more executive political appointees, whose presence reduces both employee discretion and productivity. Whether employees with more discretion are more productive than those with less depends on their commitment to the job: employees who like their work more than their pay use their discretion to enhance productivity, while employees who like their pay more than their work use their discr...
A large‐conductance K+ channel that is inhibited by the cytoskeleton in the smooth muscle cell line DDT1 MF‐2.

1. DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells responded to the bath application of histamine or ATP with an increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) and the whole-cell K+ current, IK(BA). 2. In cell-attached patches, histamine (100 microM) activated currents through a 200 pS K+ channel ('BKA' channel). In the absence of agonists, the BKA channel was activated by excision of the patch. Both histamine and patch excision increased the channel activity (NPo; where N is the number of channels per patch and Po is the open probability) by reducing the long closures between the bursts of openings. 3. In inside-out patches, the BKA channel had a conductance of 201 +/- 4 pS (symmetrical solutions of 150 mM KCl, 2 mM MgCl2 and 2 mM EGTA). Replacement of K+ in the patch electrode by Na+, Li+ or Cs+ prevented the flow of inward currents and reduced the outward K+ conductance to 113 pS. 4. NPo was insensitive to changes in [Ca2+]c from 10 nM to 1 microM. NPo was also not modified either by cytosolic Na+, ATP, GTP, GTP gamma S, dithiothreitol or TEA (10 mM) or by extracellular 4-aminopyridine (5 mM), glibenclamide (20 microM) or TEA (10 mM). The BKA channel was blocked by 5 mM intracellular BaCl2 or by 10 nM extracellular iberiotoxin. 5. In cell-attached patches, BKA channel activity could be induced by 1 microM cytochalasin B, applied either through the patch pipette or in the bath solution. The effects of cytochalasin B, of patch excision, or of histamine on NPo were not additive but saturative. 6. Whole DDT1 MF-2 cells had resting potentials of -10 mV, dominated by the chloride conductance; the resting potential changed to -82 mV when the K+ conductance was increased by cytochalasin B or by histamine. The effects of cytochalasin B and histamine on IK(BA) were not additive but saturative. 7. We discuss the hypothesis that the interaction between the cytoskeleton and the BKA channel promotes the long channel closures; depolymerization of F-actin may constitute a mechanism by which the agonists histamine or ATP disinhibit BKA channel activity.
Über fluorhaltige Verbindungen der Elemente der V. Hauptgruppe. X. Über kondensierte Fluoroarsenate

Bei der thermischen Behandlung gehen die Salze K[AsF5OH] und K[AsF4(OH)2] unter praktisch ausschlieslicher HF-Abspaltung in kettenformige bzw. uberwiegend flachenformig vernetzte Polyfluoroarsenate uber. Die Reaktion wird zuruckgefuhrt auf die in den Kristallen vorhandenen Wasserstoffbruckenbindungen zwischen OH-Gruppen und F-Atomen. Infolge verschiedener bzw. fehlender Wasserstoffbruckenbindungssysteme sind die Salze K[AsF4(OH)2], K[AsF5OH] und K[AsF6] nicht miteinander isomorph. Polymere Fluoroarsenate hydrolysieren selbst in siedender Lauge nur langsam. Fluoratome am Arsen schirmen die AsOAs-Bindungen gegenuber hydrolytischen Einflussen wirksam ab. Die Hydrolyse der Polyfluoroarsenate wurde titrimetrisch und papierchromatographisch unter Zuhilfenahme von 76As untersucht. K[AsF5OH] and K[AsF4(OH)2] are thermally decomposed yielding chain-like and net-like polyfluoroarsenates, respectively, by exclusive liberation of HF. The decompositions are discussed in regard to hydrogen bonds between OH-groups and F-atoms in the starting salts. Polymeric fluoroarsenates are very slowly hydrolyzed even in boiling 0.1 n KOH. The fluorine atoms linked to arsenic are hindering the hydrolytic cleavage of AsOAs-bonds. The hydrolysis has been investigated titrimetrically and by paper chromatography using 76As as radioactive indicator. The salts K[AsF4(OH)2], K[AsF5(OH)], and K[AsF6] are not isomorphous because of differing or lacking systems of hydrogen bonds.
Attitudes towards Religious Pluralism: Measurements and Consequences

EnglishReligious pluralism has long been a trait of American society but never to the extent seen in the past 40 years. Data from the 2000 Religion and Politics Survey are analyzed to test what soc...
Thermomechanical Formation and Recovery of Nanoindents in a Shape Memory Polymer Studied Using a Heated Tip

This paper investigates the thermomechanical formation and recovery of nanometer-scale indents in a shape memory polymer (SMP), studied using a heated atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and hot-stage atomic force microscopy. The material tested is a tert-butyl acrylate (tBA)-based polymer, which has a glass transition temperature of 60 °C. The AFM tip forms indents in the polymer in the temperature range 25–250 °C. The shape recovery of the indents is studied while the polymer is heated up to 100 °C. The temperature required for complete annealing of the indents depends upon the indentation formation conditions, with higher temperature formation corresponding to higher temperature recovery. SCANNING 29: 000–V000, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Promotion of Self-directed Learning Using Virtual Patient Cases

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of virtual patient cases to promote self-directed learning (SDL) in a required advanced therapeutics course. Design. Virtual patient software based on a branched-narrative decision-making model was used to create complex patient case simulations to replace lecture-based instruction. Within each simulation, students used SDL principles to learn course objectives, apply their knowledge through clinical recommendations, and assess their progress through patient outcomes and faculty feedback linked to their individual decisions. Group discussions followed each virtual patient case to provide further interpretation, clarification, and clinical perspective. Assessments. Students found the simulated patient cases to be organized (90%), enjoyable (82%), intellectually challenging (97%), and valuable to their understanding of course content (91%). Students further indicated that completion of the virtual patient cases prior to class permitted better use of class time (78%) and promoted SDL (84%). When assessment questions regarding material on postoperative nausea and vomiting were compared, no difference in scores were found between the students who attended the lecture on the material in 2011 (control group) and those who completed the virtual patient case on the material in 2012 (intervention group). Conclusion. Completion of virtual patient cases, designed to replace lectures and promote SDL, was overwhelmingly supported by students and proved to be as effective as traditional teaching methods.
Comparative study of luteotropin secretion by hypophysial autotransplants in the rat; effects of site and stages of the estrus cycle.

The persistence of luteotropin (LTH) secretion in pituitary grafts was studied in 47 rats. In 14 the pars distalis was autografted to the anterior chamber of the eye on the day of estrus. In the 9 animals in which the graft “took,”secretion of LTH was demonstrated. When the pars distalis was autografted to the kidney on various days of the cycle (2 animals on the day of estrus, 7 on the second day of diestrus, 9 on the third day of diestrus and 15 in proestrus), secretion of LTH was found in all cases. This was not at first recognizable in the last group, for luteolysis occurs during proestrus and the corpora lutea had lost their capacity to respond. Once new corpora lutea were produced by gonadotropin injection, LTH secretion was demonstrable. In all cases LTH secretion was indirectly measured through the ability of uteri to respond to trauma with a decidual reaction. Despite the fact that no estrogen secretion was evident in the engrafted rats, uteri retained a reactivity to trauma for as long as 42 day...
Calmodulin Regulates Calcium Sparklet Activity in Vascular Smooth Muscle

Calcium influx through L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) influences numerous physiological processes in excitable cells ranging from contraction, memory and gene expression. Clusters of LTCCs can operate in a PKCalpha-dependent, high open probability mode that generates sites of sustained calcium influx called “persistent calcium sparklets”. In vascular smooth muscle, persistent calcium sparklets contribute to local and global calcium. Calcium sparklets activity varies regionally within smooth muscle cells. At present however, the mechanisms underlying heterogeneous sparklet activity are incompletely understood. Here, we use TIRF microscopy and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology to investigate the role calmodulin in the modulation of calcium sparklet activity. We found that inhibition of calmodulin increases calcium sparklet activity in wild type (WT) smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of calmodulin in PKCalpha KO cells, which are devoid of persistent calcium sparklets, increased calcium influx by evoking new persistent calcium sparklet sites and by increasing the activity of previously low activity sites in these cells. On the basis of these finding, we hypothesize that calmodulin plays a critical role in determining the activity of calcium sparklet sites in arterial smooth muscle. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.
Transmethylation reactions regulate affinity and functional activity of chemotactic factor receptors on macrophages.

Abstract Methylation mediated by S-adenosyl-l-methionine is required for the chemotaxis of mononuclear leukocytes. We investigated whether transmethylation reactions are required for normal functioning of chemotactic factor receptors. Three chemoattracrant-mediated functions in macrophages, chemotaxis, the stimulated release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids and superoxide production, are markedly depressed by agents that inhibit cellular methylation reactions. Treatment of macrophages with methylation inhibitors decreased the affinity of the N-formylated chemoattractant receptor present on these cells by a factor of 4.5, but did not significantly alter the total receptor number. These results suggest that the N-formylated chemoattractant receptor on macrophages can exist in more than one affinity state and that an ongoing methylation reaction is required for the maintenance of the receptor in its higher affinity form. Inhibition of methylation lowers the affinity of the receptor and renders it no nfunctional or "uncoupled" in its ability to produce chemotaxis, superoxide and the release of arachidonic acid from leukocyte membranes.
An Image Quality Assessment Algorithm for Palm-Dorsa Vein Based on Multi-Feature Fusion

In order to acquire more feature information in captured vein image with high-quality, an image quality assessment algorithm for palm-dorsa vein is presented based on multi-feature fusion. According to the statistical and structure properties of image, we can acquire the good vein image by adjusting near-infrared LED light exposure duty cycle combined with computing the four characteristic parameters of gray variance, information entropy, cross point and area of effect and then fusing those according to weights. In the end, an experimental case is given and the assessment results prove that this algorithm is efficient.
Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy Due to Diabetes Mellitus: Clinical Manifestations, Consequences, and Treatment

Context: The aim of this article was to review the importance of the clinical identification of persons with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and discuss potential treatment interventions. Evidence Acquisition: A MEDLINE search was conducted for articles published during the last 20 yr. In addition, subsequent references of retrieved articles were reviewed. Search strategies included using key terms such as CAN, heart rate variability, orthostatic hypotension, and diabetes mellitus. Evidence Synthesis: CAN is a common form of diabetic autonomic neuropathy and causes abnormalities in heart rate control as well as central and peripheral vascular dynamics. The clinical manifestations of CAN include exercise intolerance, intraoperative cardiovascular lability, orthostatic hypotension, painless myocardial ischemia, and increased risk of mortality. CAN contributes to morbidity, mortality, and reduced quality of life for persons with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has recently published a statement that provides guidelines for prevention, detection, and management of neuropathy, including CAN, for healthcare providers who care for patients with diabetes. Algorithms for the evaluation and treatment of the patient with CAN, even if the patient is asymptomatic, are provided in this review. Conclusions: Once CAN is identified in a patient with diabetes, healthcare providers may consider altering the prescribed exercise regimen, increasing surveillance for cardiac ischemia, carefully reexamining the list of prescribed medications, and aggressively treating cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. hypertension) that may be associated with the development of CAN. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90: 5896–5903, 2005)
Chicago residents’ perceptions of air quality: objective pollution, the built environment, and neighborhood stigma theory

Substantial research documents higher pollution levels in minority neighborhoods, but little research evaluates how residents perceive their own communities' pollution risks. According to "Neighborhood stigma" theory, survey respondents share a cultural bias that minorities cause social dysfunction, leading to over-reports of dysfunction in minority communities. This study investigates perceptions of residential outdoor air quality by linking objective data on built and social environments with multiple measures of pollution and a representative survey of Chicago residents. Consistent with the scholarly narrative, results show air quality is rated worse where minorities and poverty are concentrated, even after extensive adjustment for objective pollution and built environment measures. Perceptions of air pollution may thus be driven by neighborhood socioeconomic position far more than by respondents' ability to perceive pollution. The finding that 63.5% of the sample reported excellent or good air quality helps to explain current challenging in promoting environmental action.
Feedback control of mesolimbic somatodendritic dopamine release in rat brain

The objective of this study was to examine the role of dopamine (DA) receptors in the nucleus accumbens (ACB) in controlling feedback regulation of mesolimbic somatodendritic DA release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of Wistar rats using ipsilateral dual-probe in vivo microdialysis. Perfusion of the ACB for 60 min with the DA uptake inhibitor GBR-12909 (10-1,000 microM) or nomifensine (10-1,000 microM) dose-dependently increased the extracellular levels of DA in ACB and concomitantly reduced the extracellular levels of DA in the VTA. Coperfusion of 100 microM nomifensine with either 100 microM SCH-23390 (SCH), a D1 antagonist, or 100 microM sulpiride (SUL), a D2 receptor antagonist, produced either an additive (for SCH) or a synergistic (for SUL) elevation in the extracellular levels of DA in the ACB, whereas the reduction in the extracellular levels of DA in the VTA produced by nomifensine alone was completely prevented by addition of either antagonist. Application of 100 microM SCH or SUL alone through the microdialysis probe in the ACB increased the extracellular levels of DA in the ACB, whereas the extracellular levels of DA in the VTA remained unchanged. Overall, the results suggest that (a) increasing the synaptic levels of DA in the ACB activates a long-loop negative feedback pathway to the VTA involving both D1 and D2 postsynaptic receptors and (b) terminal DA release within the ACB is regulated directly by D2 autoreceptors and may be indirectly regulated by D1 receptors, possibly on interneurons and/or through postsynaptic inhibition of the negative feedback loop.
Starch-g-poly(methyl acrylate) latexes for stabilizing soil to water erosion: Extending the range of polymer add-on

Cationic starch-g-polymer latexes stabilize soil particles to water. To extend the study of such utility of starch latexes we prepared starch-g-poly(methyl acrylate) (S-g-PMA) and cationic starch-g-poly(methyl acrylate) (CS-g-PMA) latexes by the ceric-initiation procedure, varying the weight ratio of starch or cationic starch to methyl acrylate from (10 to 1) to (1 to 1) in the preparation step. The percent add-on (percent synthetic polymer in the graft copolymer) ranged from 0.5% to 41% for S-g-PMA, and from 4.6% to 43% for CS-g-PMA. Application rates required to obtain stable soil are dictated by the amount of PMA in the graft copolymer. For instance, wet sieve testing showed that 10S-g-1PMA and 10CS-g-1PMA latexes required dose levels of 0.4 g/100 g soil to fully stabilize the test soils. (6–8)S-g-1PMA and (6–8)CS-g-1PMA latexes gave full stabilization when applied at 0.1 g or 0.2 g/100 g soil rate. Latexes with highest (24.4%–43%) add-on stabilized soil fully at an application rate of 0.1 g/100 g soil or less. There was no clear advantage of CS-g-PMA over S-g-PMA. Starke-Pfropf-Polymethylacrylat-Latizes zur Stabilisierung der Boden-Wasser-Erosion: Erweiterung des Bereiches des Polymer-„Add-on”. Kationische Starke-Pfropfpolymer-Latizes stabilisieren Bodenpartikel gegenuber Wasser. Um die Untersuchung einer solchen Nutzung von Starke-Latizes zu erweitern, wurden Starke-Pfropf-Polymethylacrylat (S-g-PMA) und kationische Starke-Pfropf-Polymethylacrylat (S-g-PMA)-Latizes durch das Cer-Starterverfahren hergestellt unter Veranderung des Gewichtsverhaltnisses von Starke oder kationischer Starke zu Methylacrylat von 10 zu 1 bis 1 zu 1 in der Darstellungsstufe. Der prozentuale Add-on (Prozentanteil von synthetischen Polymer in dem Pfropf-Copolymer) lag zwischen 0,5% und 41% bei S-g-PMA und zwischen 4,6% und 43% bei CS-g-PMA. Die erforderlichen Anwendungsmengen zur Gewinnung von stabilem Boden werden durch die Menge an PMA im Pfropf-Copolymer bestimmt. So zeigte beispielsweise der Nas-Siebversuch, das 10S-g-1PMA- und 10CS-g-1PMA-Dosierungen von 0,4 g/100 g Boden fur dessen volle Stabilisierung erforderlich waren. (6–8) S-g-1PMA- und (6–8) CS-g-1PMA-Latizes ergaben volle Stabilisierung, wenn sie im Verhaltnis von 0,1 g oder 0,2 g/100 g Boden angewendet wurden. Latizes mit der hochsten (24,4%–43%) Anfugung stabilisierten voll bei einer Anwendungsmenge von 0,1 g/100 g Boden oder weniger. Es zeigte sich kein klarer Vorteil von CS-g-PMA gegenuber S-g-PMA.
Development and documentation of computer programs in undergraduate computer science programs

Until recently, introductory programming classes in the Department of Computer Science, University of Minnesota, Duluth, concentrated on writing code. Not until the junior or senior year were students required to adhere to basic principles of software engineering. As might be expected, by their junior year students' bad habits, like coding while designing or inserting comments last, were firmly entrenched and difficult, if not impossible, to undo.The solution, it seemed to us, was to prevent bad habits right from the start. Consequently, we developed guidelines for designing and documenting the entire programming effort, from problem statement to post mortem. The guidelines include such steps as: algorithm development in high-level pseudocode with stepwise refinements, structure diagrams with data flow, detailed test descriptions, testing results, and a description of all known bugs. For a given assignment, the instructor chooses the steps to be completed, allowing for flexibility and appropriateness in the design and documentation.Results have been extremely positive. Students start earlier and produce better organized solutions. More students solve the problems correctly. Most importantly, students develop design and documentation skills in the freshman year that carry through and are improved over their four-year stay. Because of this initial success, our department has adopted these guidelines uniformly in all programming classes.In this paper we will describe our guidelines and give some details of their use. We will discuss the philosophy that led us to develop these guidelines and present our observations of their effectiveness.
The Earth's interior as inferred from terrestrial magnetism

Those who have attempted to picture the Earth's interior seem to have paid little or no attention to the inferences which may be drawn from terrestrial-magnetic phenomena. Yet, no conception of the physical state of the Earth's interior can be complete and correct which fails to account for the facts of its magnetic condition. Furthermore, the study of terrestrial magnetism supplies information regarding the Earth's interior which is not revealed by any of the other geophysical sciences.