cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amino Acid Sequence Studies on Bobwhite Quail Egg White Lysozyme

To test the immunological prediction that there should be two amino acid sequence differences between the lysozymes of the bobwhite quail and the chicken, the sequences of these two lysozymes have now been compared. Lysozyme purified from bobwhite quail egg white was reduced, carboxymethylated, and digested with trypsin. The resulting 18 peptides were separated and their compositions determined. Four of them differed in composition from the corresponding chicken egg white lysozyme peptides. The compositional differences could be accounted for by four amino acid substitutions. The positions at which the substitutions relative to chicken lysozyme occur were found by analysis and sequential degradation of these four tryptic peptides to be serine for threonine40, valine for isoleucine55, lysine for arginine68, and threonine for serine91. It is remarkable that three of the four interchanges appear from the three-dimensional model of chicken lysozyme to have occurred at buried positions. The remaining interchange, lysine for arginine68, has occurred at an exposed position and in a region shown by others to bear an antigenic determinant. The implications of the bobwhite quail sequence information with respect to the sequence-immunology correlation, lysozyme evolution, and the phylogeny of phasianoid birds are discussed.
Compact moduli of hyperplane arrangements

The minimal model program suggests a compactification of the moduli space of hyperplane arrangements which is a moduli space of stable pairs. Here, a stable pair consists of a scheme X which is a degeneration of projective space and a divisor D=D_1+..+D_n on X which is a limit of hyperplane arrangements. For example, in the 1-dimensional case, the stable pairs are stable curves of genus 0 with n marked points. Kapranov has defined an alternative compactification using his Chow quotient construction, which may be described fairly explicitly. We prove that these two compactifications coincide. We deduce a description of all stable pairs.
Biochemical studies of the developing mammalian fetus: I. Urea cycle enzymes

Abstract Four enzymes of the urea cycle have been studied in the livers of fetal, neonatal, and adult rats and pigs. The development of the four enzymes for urea synthesis in the liver of fetal rats was found to be asynchronous, and urea did not appear to be synthesized at a significant rate until late fetal life. All four enzymes were found to be present at significant levels in the liver of the youngest pig embryo studied (28 days). The species difference, which is quite marked, has been discussed in relation to the fetal membranes of the two animals and the maturation of the fetus and newborn. In addition, the relation of these developmental patterns to the theory of recapitulation and the development of the excretory mechanism has also been discussed.
Murine intestinal mucins inhibit rotavirus infection

Abstract Background: Mucin, a population of polymeric glycoproteins, constitutes the primary component of the mucus layer that overlies the gastrointestinal tract. These studies aimed to determine whether murine intestinal mucins inhibit rotavirus infection. Methods: Murine intestinal mucins were obtained by scraping segments of mouse intestine and purification via CsCl gradient centrifugation and sepharose 4B chromatography. Inhibition of infection was determined by quantitation of immunoperoxidase-stained cells after infection with mucin-rotavirus mixtures. Results: Crude and purified intestinal mucins from suckling and adult mice are potent inhibitors of replication of a simian rotavirus, rhesus rotavirus (RRV), but weak inhibitors of other rotaviruses. In all preparations, colonic mucins were more potent inhibitors of RRV than small intestinal mucins. Suckling mucins neutralized RRV more effectively than adult mucins. In a panel of rotavirus reassortants, susceptibility to mucin inhibition correlated with the ability to hemagglutinate human type O erythrocytes and with RRV gene 4. Murine intestinal mucin inhibited RRV binding to MA104 cells, suggesting inhibition of virus-cell attachment to be the mechanism for neutralization. Mercaptoethanol or neuraminidase inhibited mucins' anti-RRV activities, implying the functional importance of mucins' polymeric structure and sialic acid content. Conclusions: These findings suggest that intestinal mucins represent a barrier to certain rotavirus infections.
A monograph of the genus Westwoodia (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Westwoodia (Ichneumonidae: Ctenopelmatinae) is an Australian endemic heretofore known from only two described species. Three additional species are described here: Westwoodia gauldi Wharton and Roeder, n. sp. and W. romani Wharton and Roeder, n. sp., both from southeastern Australia, and W. rodmani Wharton and Roeder, n. sp. from western Australia. A neotype is designated for W. ruficeps, following a detailed morphological comparison of topotypic material from Tasmania with populations from mainland Australia. New host records are provided; known hosts all belong to the Perginae (Hymenoptera: Pergidae). A phylogenetic analysis of relationships among species is presented along with a key to species. Species richness is greatest in southeastern Australia, which may simply represent a collecting bias.
Mitochondrial DNA Variation and Range Expansion in Western Bean Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): No Evidence for a Recent Population Bottleneck

The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a pest of both corn and dry bean crops. At the beginning of the 21st century, the species began to extend its range out of the Great Plains, eastward through the Corn Belt. This rapid range expansion is remarkable because the species distribution had been stable for at least the previous half century, despite the apparent abundance of suitable habitat (i.e., cornfields) immediately to the east. We hypothesized that if the western bean cutworm had to overcome a stable barrier to movement before starting the current range expansion, it probably experienced a genetic bottleneck in doing so. To test this hypothesis, variation in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase one (ND1) gene was studied in populations from Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa. No differences in overall genetic diversity or haplotype frequencies indicative of a bottleneck were observed between the recently founded populations in Iowa and the established populations in Wyoming and Nebraska. This result suggests that the sudden loss of an ecological exclusion mechanism, allowing the species to move east in appreciable numbers, is more likely to have triggered the range expansion than the surmounting of an extrinsic barrier to movement. The nature of this mechanism is unknown but might be related to recent changes in corn farming practices and technology.
Longitudinal Antigenic Sequences and Sites from Intra-Host Evolution (LASSIE) Identifies Immune-Selected HIV Variants

Within-host genetic sequencing from samples collected over time provides a dynamic view of how viruses evade host immunity. Immune-driven mutations might stimulate neutralization breadth by selecting antibodies adapted to cycles of immune escape that generate within-subject epitope diversity. Comprehensive identification of immune-escape mutations is experimentally and computationally challenging. With current technology, many more viral sequences can readily be obtained than can be tested for binding and neutralization, making down-selection necessary. Typically, this is done manually, by picking variants that represent different time-points and branches on a phylogenetic tree. Such strategies are likely to miss many relevant mutations and combinations of mutations, and to be redundant for other mutations. Longitudinal Antigenic Sequences and Sites from Intrahost Evolution (LASSIE) uses transmitted founder loss to identify virus “hot-spots” under putative immune selection and chooses sequences that represent recurrent mutations in selected sites. LASSIE favors earliest sequences in which mutations arise. With well-characterized longitudinal Env sequences, we confirmed selected sites were concentrated in antibody contacts and selected sequences represented diverse antigenic phenotypes. Practical applications include rapidly identifying immune targets under selective pressure within a subject, selecting minimal sets of reagents for immunological assays that characterize evolving antibody responses, and for immunogens in polyvalent “cocktail” vaccines.
Initiating New Community and Field Education Partnerships: The Congregational Social Work Education Initiative

At the start of a new academic year in August 2007, the Joint Master of Social Work Program in Greensboro, North Carolina, launched a new field education venture – The Congregational Social Work Education Initiative (CSWEI). North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&TSU) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) created and operate a single master of social work program which opened in 1997. The universities have a rich history of cooperation with managing a joint undergraduate social work internship program since 1978. The Council on Social Work Education has identified that field education as the signature pedagogy for social work education. The success of any field education experience is dependent upon having students complete their field education experience within community- based programs and services. However, such training opportunities have changed, which has placed more pressure in locating quality field educational sites or in the development of new models.
Artemisia Gentileschi's Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting

In her Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-ca. 1652) made an audacious claim upon the core of artistic tradition, to create an entirely new image that was quite literally unavailable to any male artist. Her apparently modest self-image was, moreover, a sophisticated commentary upon a central philosophical issue of later Renaissance art theory, indicating an identification with her profession on a plane of greater self-awareness, intellectually and culturally, than has previously been acknowledged.
The yeast DOA4 gene encodes a deubiquitinating enzyme related to a product of the human tre-2 oncogene

Modification of specific intracellular proteins by ubiquitin targets them for degradation. We describe a yeast enzyme, Doa4, that is integral to the degradation of ubiquitinated proteins and is required in diverse physiological processes. Doa4 appears to function late in the proteolytic pathway by cleaving ubiquitin from substrate remnants still bound to protease. The human tre-2 oncogene encodes a deubiquitinating enzyme similar to Doa4, indicating a role for the ubiquitin system in mammalian growth control.
Elemental diet-induced bacterial translocation can be hormonally modulated.

BACKGROUND: The authors have previously documented that feeding mice an elemental diet resulted in bacterial translocation (BT) that could be prevented by the provision of dietary fiber. To test whether the protective effect of fiber was related to the stimulation of trophic gut hormones, the effects of sandostatin and bombesin were tested. METHODS: Mice fed either chow or the elemental diet were stratified into several groups and the ability of bombesin (10 micrograms/kg, tid) or sandostatin (100 micrograms/kg bid) to modulate BT was examined. After 14 days, mice were sacrificed and BT, cecal bacterial population levels, mucosal protein, and small bowel weight was measured. Segments of the ileum and jejunum were examined histologically. RESULTS: Incidence of elemental diet-induced BT (75%) was reduced by fiber (9%) or the administration of bombesin (13%) (p < 0.01). Although sandostatin did not promote BT in chow-fed mice, it reversed the protective effect of fiber on BT (75%) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Elemental diet-induced bacterial translocation can be modulated hormonally and the beneficial effects of fiber on diet-induced BT appears to be hormonally mediated.
Influence of Stressors on Normal Intestinal Microbiota, Intestinal Morphology, and Susceptibility to Salmonella Enteritidis Colonization in Broilers

In modern poultry production systems, environmental stressors may influence bird performance and susceptibility to pathogens such as Salmonella Enteritidis. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of 24-h feed withdrawal and 24-h exposure to high temperature (30 degrees C) on intestinal characteristics of broilers. Attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis to ileal tissue was determined using an in vitro ileal loop assay. Changes in commensal intestinal microbial populations were determined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and alterations in ileal morphology were determined histologically. Ex vivo attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis to ileal tissues increased by 1.5 logs (9.05 log10 vs. 7.59 log (10) Salmonella Enteritidis/g of ileal tissue; P = 0.0006) in broilers fasted for 24 h. Similarly, ileal tissues from birds subjected to 30 degrees C for 24 h had increased ex vivo attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis (8.77 log(10) vs. 8.50 log(10) Salmonella Enteritidis/g of ileum; P = 0.01) compared with birds held at 23 degrees C. Exposure to 30 degrees C for 24 h also altered microbial community structure in the ileum and cecum. Subjecting birds to 30 degrees C for 24 h reduced crypt depth (6.0 vs. 7.8 microm, respectively; P = 0.002), but had no effect on villus height or villus:crypt ratio. This research shows that acute stressors in poultry production systems can cause changes in the normal intestinal microbiota and epithelial structure, which may lead to increased attachment of Salmonella Enteritidis.
EGRET observations of > 30 MeV emission from the brightest bursts detected by BATSE

EGRET on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory has detected 5 gammaray bursts above 30 MeV. The sub-MeV emission, as detected by BATSE, for these 5 bursts has the largest fluence,F, and peak intensity,I, of any of the BATSE detected bursts within the EGRET field of view. The BATSE data reported in the 2B catalog and the EGRET exposure,E, are combined to select additional bursts with largeF ×E andI ×E. The EGRET data for these bright BATSE bursts are searched for prompt, as well as delayed, emission above 30 MeV. The average properties of the >30 MeV emission are obtained by adding the EGRET data from the 5 bursts. On average the fluence is greater than 15% of the fluence detected by BATSE below an MeV, and the average spectrum is flatter than the spectrum from 1-30 MeV.
Comparisons of Patterns of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Water, Sediment, and Indigenous Organisms from New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts

Polychlorinated biphenyl patterns were compared in samples of water, surface sediment, and the indigenous organisms ribbed mussels (Modiolus demissus), grass shrimp (Paleomonetes pugio), mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitis), and eels (Anguila rostrata) collected from 1991 through 1993 at two stations in the highly contaminated New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts. Principal component analysis of analytical data showed groups of points that corresponded to individual species, but little separation between stations for the same species was found. Linear correlations showed a high level of agreement between PCB patterns in samples of the exposure environment (water and sediments) and two species of organisms (ribbed mussels and mummichogs). However, due to two separate metabolic alterations of PCBs, the patterns in both shrimp and eels showed poor agreement with patterns in water and sediment. Selective enrichment factors (SEFs), the ratios of individual coplanar or mono-ortho substituted congeners to the total PCBs, were used to compare the relative abundance of congeners in samples. Due to metabolic differences, the SEFs were lower in eels and higher in shrimp than those found in Aroclor® standards.
Structure of the native cysteine-sulfenic acid redox center of enterococcal NADH peroxidase refined at 2.8 A resolution.

In order to obtain the crystal structure of the flavoprotein NADH peroxidase with its native Cys42-sulfenic acid redox center, a strategy combining reduced exposure of crystals to ambient oxygen and data collection at −160 °C was applied. The structure of the native enzyme to 2.8 A resolution is described; these results conclusively establish the existence of the Cys42-sulfenic acid as the functional non-flavin redox center of the peroxidase and provide the first structure for any naturally occurring protein-sulfenic acid. The Cys42-sulfenic acid atoms Cα−Cβ−Sγ−O roughly define a planar arrangement which is stacked parallel to the si face of the FAD isoalloxazine and positions the sulfenyl oxygen atom only 3.3 A from FAD-C4A. His10-Ne2 contributes a hydrogen bond to the sulfenic acid oxygen, at a distance of 3.2 A. Although one oxygen atom (OX1) of the non-native Cys42-sulfonic acid derivative identified in the earlier wild-type peroxidase structure was taken to represent the native Cys42-sulfenic acid ox...
Review of current physical and hydrodynamic concepts and their impact on urodynamics

Keywords: voiding physiology; urodynamics of voiding; bladder physiology; urethral physiology
Interrelationship between lipids and proteins in membranes

It is well-known that the myelin sheath originates by the spiral winding of the satellite cell cytoplasmic membrane around the nerve axon. Thus, myelin is essentially a membrane, and its components are truly membrane constituents. Since proteolipids are one of the main constituents of myelin, and account for the major part of its protein, it is clear that a discussion of proteolipids is relevant to the subject of the interrelationship between lipids and proteins in membranes.
Observations of crack growth in hard rock loaded by an indenter

Abstract A description is given of the processes of rock fragmentation induced by circular flat-bottomed punches from 5 to 20 mm dia loading orthogonal to the flat surface of cylindrical specimens of Sierra granite of 89 mm dia and confined by a steel belt, and 100 mm cube specimens confined in a biaxial frame. It is found that the rock deforms elastically until the applied punch load exceeds 45% of the maximum load that the rock cna sustain. At loads greater than 45% of the maximum, a crack is initiated around the perimeter of the punch and this crack propagates in the well-known conical Herizian manner. When the crack begins to propagate, the location of its front is reasonably well defined. However, as it extends with continued application of the load, an intense zone of microcracks surrounds and conceals the crack tip. Fractures initiating within this microcracked region propagate to the surface and form rock chips. The effects of punch size and confining stress, orthogonal to the punch, on the rock indentation strength are examined. Some decrease in punching strength with increasing punch size is noted; there is an increase in strength with increasing confining stress. At low confining stress, specimens split by cleavage through the axis of the punch. The theory of elasticity is used to show that this could occur with a punch loading against a semi-infinite rock surface and may therefore be an important phenomenon, not just an artifact of finite laboratory specimens.
Induction of necrotic cell death by oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina and the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell death and the resultant photoreceptor apoptosis are characteristic of late-stage dry AMD, especially geographic atrophy (GA). Although oxidative stress and inflammation have been associated with GA, the nature and underlying mechanism for RPE cell death remains controversial, which hinders the development of targeted therapy for dry AMD. The purpose of this study is to systematically dissect the mechanism of RPE cell death induced by oxidative stress. Our results show that characteristic features of apoptosis, including DNA fragmentation, caspase 3 activation, chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation, were not observed during RPE cell death induced by either hydrogen peroxide or tert-Butyl hydroperoxide. Instead, this kind of cell death can be prevented by RIP kinase inhibitors necrostatins but not caspase inhibitor z-VAD, suggesting necrotic feature of RPE cell death. Moreover, ATP depletion, receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) aggregation, nuclear and plasma membrane leakage and breakdown, which are the cardinal features of necrosis, were observed in RPE cells upon oxidative stress. Silencing of RIPK3, a key protein in necrosis, largely prevented oxidative stress-induced RPE death. The necrotic nature of RPE death is consistent with the release of nuclear protein high mobility group protein B1 into the cytoplasm and cell medium, which induces the expression of inflammatory gene TNFα in healthy RPE and THP-1 cells. Interestingly, features of pyroptosis or autophagy were not observed in oxidative stress-treated RPE cells. Our results unequivocally show that necrosis, but not apoptosis, is a major type of cell death in RPE cells in response to oxidative stress. This suggests that preventing oxidative stress-induced necrotic RPE death may be a viable approach for late-stage dry AMD.
Reconciling social interaction with habitat selection in territorial species

The concept of habitat selection as the primary force in clustered distributions has been challenged by behavioral studies of conspecific attraction. This has lead to two conflicting explanations for settlement behavior, which we have integrated into one model. This model creates a range of fitness outcomes for different settlement strategies, encompassing the four combinations of positive and negative effects of the habitat selection and social interaction. It expands the ideal free distribution models (negative intra-specific interactions and positive habitat selection), to consider alternative situations where (1) beneficial social interaction increases fitness for clustered pairs in poor quality habitat, (2) neither habitat selection nor conspecific attraction can improve fitness, and (3) where both are beneficial and do not interfere with each other. The model does this by establishing an intrinsic fitness, where the effects of both habitat selection (h) and conspecific attractions (c) are neutral (h = c = 1) and do not influence settlement. Clustered distributions occur when h · c > 1 because the fitness in clusters is greater than intrinsic fitness. Dispersed distributions occur when h · c < 1 and fitness is lower than the intrinsic. The benefit of the model is that it allows conspecific attraction to be considered a positive force in fitness without rejecting the proven concept of ideal free distribution.
Author Disambiguation using an Hybrid Approach of Queries and String Matching Techniques

Common problems when searching for publications by author names are misspellings, name abbreviations, and format differences. This paper attempted to solve this problem by combining database SQL queries with the error detection and correction properties of string comparisons. The use of these combination of methods increased the amount of relevant records retrieved while reducing the number of irrelevant records compared to other well know string matching techniques.
Reflections on basic science.

Afteralmost50yearsinscience,Ibelievethatthereisanacceptable, oftenadvantageouschasmbetweenopen-endedbasicresearch—freeexplorationwith - out a practical destination and in which the original ideas may fade into new con - cepts—and translational research or clinical research. My basic research on crystallins (proteins conferring the optical properties of the eye lens) led me down paths I never would have considered if I were conducting translational research. My investigations rangedfromjellyfishtomiceandresultedinthegene-sharingconcept,whichshowed thatthesameproteincanhavedistinctmolecularfunctionsdependinguponitsexpres - sion pattern and, conversely, that different proteins can serve similar functional roles. Thisessayportraysbasicscienceasacreativenarrative,comparabletoliteraryandartis - tic endeavors. Preserving the autonomy of open-ended basic research and recognizing its artistic, narrative qualities will accelerate the development of innovative concepts, createarichresourceofinformationfeedingtranslationalresearch,andhaveapositive impact by attracting creative individuals to science.
Synthesis of thin film photonic crystals

We describe a synthesis procedure for fabricating thin film photonic crystals at optical length scales from a ceramic slurry of nanocrystalline titania and polystyrene spheres. Self assembly of the spheres is performed simultaneously with the introduction of the dielectric background. Thin film photonic crystals are grown on glass or semiconductor substrates. The photonic crystals are characterized with both surface and cross-sectional scanning electron microscope images. The photonic crystals exhibit a reflection peak and transmission dip at the wavelength of the first stop band.
Conformational studies on pyranoid sugar derivatives by N.M.R. spectroscopy. The conformational equilibria of some alkyl tri-O-acetyl- and tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribopyranosides in solution☆☆☆

Abstract The conformational populations of tribenzoylated β- D -ribopyranosides ( 1 – 4 ) having as aglycons the methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and tert -butyl groups, rspectively, together with the corresponding triacetates ( 5 – 8 ), were studied in acetone- d 6 by the n.m.r. spectroscopic method of averaging of spin coupling to determine the conformational effect of varying the aglycon in an otherwise fixed structure. The benzoylated methyl and ethyl glycosides ( 1 and 2 ) adopt the 1C ( D ) conformation to the extent of about 80%, whereas the acetylated analogs ( 5 and 6 ) have only about 60% of the 1C ( D ) form. In each series, the tert -butyl glycosides favor the 1C ( D ) form to a lesser extent, about 75% for the benzoate 4 , and 55% for the acetate 8 . The results are interpreted in terms of steric and polar effects. The isopropyl methyl groups in 3 and 7 , and the ethyl methylene groups in 2 and 6 are magnetically nonequivalent as a result of their dissymmetric environment and not as a consequence of hindered rotation.
Magnetron Sputtering High Tc Films From Metal Alloy Targets

High Tc YBaCuO thin films have been deposited by dc magnetron sputtering from two metal alloy targets. Oxygen was sprayed directly onto the film to be chemically incorporated into the film. Since most of the oxygen was absorbed by the film directly, low oxygen partial pressure was achieved to avoid target oxidation. Epitaxial and polycrystalline films with onsets at 92 K having 1 K transition widths have been produced. Films have been deposited on a variety of substrates including LiNbO 3 and LiTa0 3 . For potential application in electronic devices and for many electrical measurements, it is important to pattern the films. Laser patterning has been demonstrated successfully with no degradation of the film properties. The advantages of laser processing are short turn around time and no wet processing associated with conventional lithography. Using this technique, lines as narrow as 1 micron have been fabricated.
The Helical Turbine and its applications for tidal and wave power

Summary form only given. The objective of this presentation is to introduce an environmentally friendly Helical Turbine that has been developed to operate in free or ultra low-head water currents without dams. The turbine is a cross flow unidirectional rotation machine that makes it particularly valuable for ocean applications, such as reversible tidal streams in ocean bays, estuaries, streams in open ocean, underwater currents generated by wave fluctuations. It can also be used for hydropower in rivers without dams, canals, hydraulic tunnels, etc.
[2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements of hydrogen and alkyl 3-propenyl sulfoxides : A computational study

The [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements of hydrogen and alkyl 3-propenyl sulfoxides (R = H, CH3, CF3, CCl3) to the corresponding 3-propenyl sulfenates have been examined computationally using HF, MP2, and B3LYP with the 6-31G(d), 6-31+G(d,p), 6-311+G(d,p), 6-311+G(2d,2p), 6-311+G(3d,2p), and cc-pVTZ basis sets. The relative energies (Erel) of the respective isomeric sulfoxides and sulfenates are sensitive to the level of theory and to electron correlation. The sulfenate is more stable in the gas phase, and the more polar sulfoxide is more stable in aqueous medium. The rearrangements are concerted, and the endo and exo five-membered transition states are very close in energy (ΔE = <1 kcal/mol). MP2/6-311+G(3d,2p) predicted the activation barriers for the sulfoxide–sulfenate rearrangements to be [kcal/mol, (R)] 19.0 (H), 21.4 (CH3), 19.3 (CF3), and 21.8 (CCl3), respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Is there an Archaeological Case for Phantom Settlements in the Persian Period

AbstractOn the basis of archeological data presented in Finkelstein 2008, 8–13, it is concluded that the settlements of returnees listed in Ezra 2:20–30 and Nehemiah 7:25–33 reflect an actual socio-political reality of the late 6th century BCE. As Finkelstein draws the opposite conclusion on the basis of the same data, this study describes how he construed relevant data and evaluates the validity of his argumentation. Additionally, locations are proposed for some heretofore unidentified settlements, the complex literary history of the lists is examined, and how the vague term 'Persian Period' has confused both archaeological and historical discourses is explored.
Evaluating Adherence and Flexibility in the Use of a Manual in Clinical Practice

The value of the use of evidence-based treatment manuals in clinical practice has been a controversial topic within the field of clinical psychology. One of the most significant areas of debate surrounds the perception of how treatment manuals are used. Are they rigid treatment prescriptions, not to be deviated from, and as a result their use may lead the clinician to miss important idiosyncratic aspects of the client? Or, should they be used flexibly, insuring that clinicians apply the essential evidence-based treatment strategies, but at the same time allowing for modifications to address unique clinical aspects of the client? I examined the case description provided by Edwards and Kannan (2006) with an eye on the balance of adherence to the manual and clinical flexibility. Overall, there was an excellent balance of the two. However, there were several examples noted where adherence to the manual may have limited clinical flexibility. Ideally, sensitizing clinicians to these issues will increase their comfort in using manualized treatments and facilitate their use in the most effective way possible by allowing for clinical flexibility.
Mechanisms of liver cell injury

Liver cell death is triggered by a number of insults arising from the external environment or from within the cell. These insults may engage cell surface receptors with death domaines leading to a proteolytic cascade involving initiator and executioner caspases and an apoptotic demise. Alternatively, the insults may profoundly disrupt mitochondrial function and result in loss of homeostasis accompanied by activation of hydrolases and a necrotic or lytic demise. The distinction between apoptotic and necrotic cell death has become blurred recently by the recognition that the same stimuli can induce either form of cell death as well as caspase independent apoptosis. Mitochondria play a key role in the shape of cell death; selective release of mediators amplifies the apoptosis program and profound loss of mitochondrial function leads to necrosis. Reactive oxygen metabolites and nitric oxide participate as initiating factors and modulators. The extensive knowledge gained in recent years about the mechanisms of cell death will undoubtedly lead to new and exciting advances in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Important targets include death receptors, death signaling mechanisms, the mitochondrial permeability transition and approaches which selectively inhibit or activate cell death in parenchymal versus nonparenchymal cells.
Identification of endophilins 1 and 3 as selective binding partners for VGLUT1 and their co-localization in neocortical glutamatergic synapses : Implications for vesicular glutamate transporter trafficking and excitatory vesicle formation

1. Selective protein–protein interactions between neurotransmitter transporters and their synaptic targets play important roles in regulating chemical neurotransmission. We screened a yeast two-hybrid library with bait containing the C-terminal amino acids of VGLUT1 and obtained clones that encode endophilin 1 and endophilin 3, proteins considered to play an integral role in glutamatergic vesicle formation. 2. Using a modified yeast plasmid vector to enable more cost-effective screens, we analyzed the selectivity and specificity of this interaction. Endophilins 1 and 3 selectively recognize only VGLUT1 as the C-terminus of VGLUT2 and VGLUT3 do not interact with either endophilin isoform. We mutagenized four conserved stretches of primary sequence in VGLUT1 that includes two polyproline motifs (Pro1, PPAPPP, and Pro2, PPRPPPP), found only in VGLUT1, and two conserved stretches (SEEK, SYGAT), found also in VGLUT2 and VGLUT3. The absence of the VGLUT conserved regions does not affect VGLUT1–endophilin association. Of the two polyproline stretches, only one (Pro2) is required for binding specificity to both endophilin 1 and endophilin 3. 3. We also show that endophilin 1 and endophilin 3 co-localize with VGLUT1 in synaptic terminals of differentiated rat neocortical neurons in primary culture. These results indicate that VGLUT1 and both endophilins are enriched in a class of excitatory synaptic terminals in cortical neurons and there, may interact to play an important role affecting the vesicular sequestration and synaptic release of glutamate.
Do We Have Tools for Developing Green Applications? - IDE Tool with Power Management Computation Plugin

Power resources on the mobile device are always valuable, meanwhile there are 4.6 billion mobile-phone subscribers worldwide. The total amount of energy consumed and the carbon footprint on those mobile devices is considerable which implies developing tools for green applications to become ever more critical. However, there is currently no effective way for application developers to know the power consumption of their applications, nor a development tool to disable unnecessary or optional functions when device power reaches to lower levels. In this paper, we propose an application development tool that provides the power consumption information in integrated development environment (IDE) tools. By using our tool, application developers can clearly evaluate power consumption of applications they develop, and decide whether to down grade or turn off minor functions or features to switch to power saving mode while power resource is limited.
PROVIDING FOR AVENUES OF RENEWAL

Successful presidents demonstrate a sustained concern for institutional renewal. Continuous and quality efforts at invigoration and renewal should occur with an approximately equal thrust for trustees, administrators, faculty, adjunct faculty, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, and maintenance personnel. In addition, the external publics served by the college should receive continuous interaction with the institution. In many cases institutions have directed their renewal efforts primarily at faculty through staff development programs. Faculty are only one component of the spectrum to whom these efforts should be directed.
A historical perspective of immunotoxicology

AbstractAn historical perspective of immunotoxicology is presented beginning from early observations in which exposure to workplace environments led to unexpected immune-mediated lung diseases to its eventual evolution as a sub-discipline in toxicology. As with most toxicology disciplines, immunotoxicology originated from concerns by scientists within industry and government as well as medical professionals to limit human exposure to agents that can potentially effect human health. The basis for these concerns originated from laboratory studies in experimental models and clinical observations that suggested certain industrial and agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and consumer products were capable of inadvertently interacting with the immune system and cause adverse health effects. The types of immunopathologies observed and mechanisms responsible were found to be broad, being dependent upon the physiochemical properties of an agent, exposure route, and target organ/tissue, and included allergic/hypersensiti...
The partial reinforcement effect and competing behavior in a latent learning situation

Rats were given partial or consistent reinforcement in a runway while satiated. They were then extinguished while deprived. Measures of runway halts and reversals indicated that the reinforcement groups differed in the frequency of competing behavior during both acquisition and extinction. Spontaneous recovery from competing responses was observed. Results were, in most cases, consistent with an earlier study where Ss were trained while deprived.
The Gene Expression of the Amiloride-sensitive Epithelial Sodium Channel α-Subunit Is Regulated by Antagonistic Effects between Glucocorticoid Hormone and Ras Pathways in Salivary Epithelial Cells

Abstract The functional expression of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in select epithelia is critical for maintaining electrolyte and fluid homeostasis. Although ENaC activity is strictly dependent upon its α-subunit expression, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which cells modulate α-ENaC gene expression. Previously, we have shown that salivary α-ENaC expression is transcriptionally repressed by the activation of Raf/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathway. Here, this work further investigates the molecular mechanism(s) by which α-ENaCexpression is regulated in salivary epithelial Pa-4 cells. A region located between −1.5 and −1.0 kilobase pairs of theα-ENaC 5′-flanking region is demonstrated to be indispensable for the maximal and Ras-repressible reporter expression. Deletional analyses using heterologous promoter constructs reveal that a DNA sequence between −1355 and −1269 base pairs functions as an enhancer conferring the high level of expression on reporter constructs, and this induction effect is inhibited by Ras pathway activation. Mutational analyses indicate that full induction and Ras-mediated repression require a glucocorticoid response element (GRE) located between −1323 and −1309 base pairs. The identifiedα-ENaC GRE encompassing sequence (−1334/−1306) is sufficient to confer glucocorticoid receptor/dexamethasone-dependent and Ras-repressible expression on both heterologous and homologous promoters. This report demon- strates for the first time that the cross-talk between glucocorticoid receptor and Ras/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase signaling pathways results in an antagonistic effect at the transcriptional level to modulate α-ENaC expression through the identified GRE. In summary, this study presents a mechanism by which α-ENaC expression is regulated in salivary epithelial cells.
Relationship between the sensation seeking scale and a biographical inventory designed to predict risk-taking behavior

One hundred and five students were administered both Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) and the Torrance-Ziller biographical inventory (BI) for measuring risk-taking tendencies. Correlations between the BI and selected subscales on the SSS were positive and significant. However, the proportion of explained variance does not suggest that the SSS and the BI are tapping the same dimension.
Biofuels in the long-run global energy supply mix for transportation

Various policy instruments along with increasing oil prices have contributed to a sixfold increase in global biofuels production over the last decade (2000-2010). This rapid growth has proved controversial, however, and has raised concerns over potential conflicts with global food security and climate change mitigation. To address these concerns, policy support is now focused on advanced or second-generation biofuels instead of crop-based first-generation biofuels. This policy shift, together with the global financial crisis, has slowed the growth of biofuels production, which has remained stagnant since 2010. Based upon a review of the literature, this paper examines the potential long-run contribution of biofuels to the global energy mix, particularly for transportation. We find that the contribution of biofuels to global transportation fuel demand is likely to be limited to around 5% over the next 10-15 years. However, a number of studies suggest that biofuels could contribute up to a quarter of global transportation fuel demand by 2050, provided technological breakthroughs reduce the costs of sustainably produced advanced biofuels to a level where they can compete with petroleum fuels.
The accuracy of medicare claims data in identifying Alzheimer's disease

We linked Medicare claims data to information on 417 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) to determine what proportion of them were identified as having Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Medicare claims records. Seventy-nine percent of these patients were identified as having AD using 5 years of claims data; 87% were identified as demented when a broader set of ICD-9-CM codes was used. An Anderson-Gill counting process approach was used to model the "hazard" of patients being identified as having AD in Medicare claims data. CERAD patients with mild dementia were less likely to be identified in the claims data as having AD. Once identified in Medicare claims as having AD, patients were more likely to be so identified again. When using only the physician supplier and institutional outpatient files, approximately 75% of CERAD patients were identified as having AD; hospital files used alone identified less than one-third (29%) of the CERAD patients as having AD. The data indicate that at least 3 consecutive years of physician supplier and physician outpatient claim files should be used to identify Medicare beneficiaries with AD using Medicare claims.
AChE biosensor based on zinc oxide sol-gel for the detection of pesticides.

Abstract Zinc oxide has been used as a matrix for immobilization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and detection of the pesticide paraoxon. The immobilized enzyme retained its enzymatic activity up to three months when stored in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) at 4 °C. An amperometric biosensor for the detection of paraoxon was designed. The biosensor detected paraoxon in the range 0.035–1.38 ppm and can be used to detect other AChE inhibiting organophosphate pesticides.
OA14.03. Effects of yoga on sleep, mood, and related outcomes in older women with Restless Legs Syndrome: a nested randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Purpose Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), a common sleep disorder, has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, key components of the metabolic syndrome, and is associated with significant societal and economic burden. Current treatments are often ineffective and can have serious side effects, highlighting the need to investigate promising new non-pharmaceutical approaches. In this nested RCT, we examined the effects of a gentle yoga program vs. an educational film program on sleep, mood, perceived stress, blood pressure, and heart rate in women at risk for CVD. Methods Participants were drawn from a larger trial regarding the effects of yoga on CVD risk profiles. Seventy-five overweight, sedentary postmenopausal women aged 45-79 years were randomized to receive either an 8-week yoga (n=38) or educational film (n=37) program. Main outcomes assessed pre- and post-treatment included measures of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), mood (Profile of Mood States, State-Trait Anxiety Scale), blood pressure, and heart rate. Participants completed an RLS screening questionnaire at baseline. Twenty (27%) of the 75 women met standardized diagnostic criteria for RLS (n=10 yoga, 10 film group). Results
Enhanced sensitivity using liquid crystals for optical fiber-based localized surface plasmon resonance sensor

Subwavelength gold nanoparticles array were fabricated on optical fibers tip with sensitivity of 195nm/RIU has been demonstrated. Nemetic liquid crystal has been used for enhancing sensitivity of LSPR-based detection of binding events.
Epididymal metastasis from prostatic adenocarcinoma mimicking adenomatoid tumor.

Abstract A case of epididymal metastasis from prostatic carcinoma is presented. The initialhistologic findings were suggestive of adenomatoid tumor, but a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of prostatic origin has been established by prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen immunoperoxidase staining.
X-ray contrast miscible blends of polyacrylates and bismuth trihalides: glass transition temperatures and radiopacities

Bismuth tribromide and bismuth trichloride were dissolved in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ethyl methacrylate) to yield transparent materials with radiopacities exceeding that of aluminium by at least a factor two. The radiopacities of the mixtures were found to be proportional to the molar concentration of the X-ray contrast additive and obey the relationship R = R0 + (Ra − Ro)VaMa, where R, Ro and Ra are the radiopacities (expressed in mm aluminium per mm material) for the mixture, the pure polymer and the bismuth compound, respectively, while Ma and Va denote the molar concentration and molar volume of the additive. For BiBr3, Ra was found to be 31.4 and the value for BiCl3 is 22.4, while Ro for PMMA is 0.125. The bismuth compounds lower the Tg of the two polymers by 0.3±0.03°C per wt% of the halide. The transparent, radiopaque materials are moisture sensitive and slowly turn hazy due to the formation of bismuth oxyhalides.
Intranasal Administration of the Growth-Compromised HSV-2 Vector ΔRR Prevents Kainate-Induced Seizures and Neuronal Loss in Rats and Mice

Abstract Identification of targets and delivery platforms for gene therapy of neurodegenerative disorders is a clinical challenge. We describe a novel paradigm in which the neuroprotective gene is the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antiapoptotic gene ICP10PK and the vector is the growth-compromised HSV-2 mutant ΔRR. ΔRR is delivered intranasally. It is not toxic in rats and mice. ICP10PK is expressed in the hippocampus of the ΔRR-treated animals for at least 42 days in the absence of virus replication and late virus gene expression. Its expression is regulated by an AP-1 amplification loop. Intranasally delivered ΔRR prevents kainic acid-induced seizures, neuronal loss, and inflammation, in both rats and mice. The data suggest that ΔRR is a promising therapeutic platform for neurodegenerative diseases.
Gender Differences in the Educational Expectations of Urban, Low-Income African American Youth: The Role of Parents and the School

This study examined how youths’ gender is related to the educational expectations of urban, low-income African American youth, their parents, and their teachers. As predicted, African American boys (ages 9–16) reported lower expectations for future educational attainment than did their female counterparts. Parents and teachers also reported lower expectations for African American boys (ages 6–16) than for girls. These findings held even when controlling for academic achievement. Contrary to predictions, the magnitude of the difference in expectations for males vs. females did not increase as a function of youths’ age. In keeping with our hypotheses, parental expectations fully mediated the relation between youths’ gender and youths’ expectations. Finally, certain school-based factors (i.e., positive teacher expectations and positive youth perceptions of the school environment) appeared to protect youths’ expectations from the deleterious impact of low parental expectations.