cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Young children's memory for spatial locations in organized and unorganized rooms

Abstract Children's memory for spatial locations in a room-sized space designed to look like a grocery store was examined in two studies. In Study 1, 48 3- and 4-year-olds completed a problem involving memory for spatial locations and an incidental recall task in two room arrangements varying in logical organization. In the clustered arrangement items were categorized logically in space. In the nonclustered arrangement the same items were randomly arranged. Memory for spatial locations was higher under the clustered than the nonclustered arrangement although organization had no effect on recall. In Study 2, 74 children in kindergarten and first and second grades were assessed for knowledge of classification, spatial operations, and field dependence/independence along with memory for the locations of items in a logically organized room arrangement. Memory for the general area of the room in which objects belonged was expected to be related to knowledge of classification, while memory for more specific location was expected to be related to knowledge of spatial operations and field independence. Surprisingly, most children performed extremely well on memory for general location, leading to the rejection of the first hypothesis. However, consistent with the second hypothesis, results of a multiple regression showed that memory for specific spatial location was related to spatial operational knowledge, higher performance on the Children's Embedded Figures Test, and to the strategy children used in completing the reconstruction. Children were also asked to verbally recall the contents of the space. Performance on the incidental recall task was related to age and accuracy on the spatial reconstruction. Results are discussed in terms of Piagetian theory and current research on children's environments.
Deformation and fracture toughness of a bulk amorphous Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–Be alloy

Abstract The flow behavior and fracture toughness of two different plate thicknesses (i.e. 4 and 7 mm) of a bulk amorphous Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–Be alloy was investigated. It is shown that the flow/fracture stress was independent of superimposed hydrostatic pressure over the range 50–575 MPa, suggesting that the flow behavior follows the von Mises criterion. However, the macroscopic orientation of the fracture plane relative to the stress axis was strongly affected by changes in stress state, suggesting some normal stress dependence to the flow/fracture behavior. The fracture behavior was also studied on both notched and precracked bend bars for both plate thicknesses. The average fracture toughness obtained from seven fatigue precracked specimens taken for both plate thicknesses was 17.9±1.8 MPa√m, while the notched toughness obtained on specimens with notch root radii ranging from 65 to 250 μm taken from both plate thicknesses were in the range of 9l–131 MPa√m.
Multi-year monitoring to facilitate adult salmon passage through a temperate tidal marsh

Adult Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, were ultrasonically tagged to monitor their movements past a tidally operated salinity control-gate structure that spans the width of Montezuma Slough, an important migration pathway for anadromous fish in the Sacramento Delta. The structure consists of a section of removable flashboards, three radial gates and a boat lock. Previous studies showed that movement through Montezuma Slough was delayed or hindered for many of the tagged salmon due to installation of the flashboards and the gate closures. Three gate configurations were tested as future mitigation options to facilitate salmon movement through the gates: full open with the boat lock closed; full operation with the boat lock open; and full operation with the boat lock closed. During October to November of 2001–2004, approximately 200 adult fall-run Chinook salmon were tagged annually and monitored for passage success during different gate configurations. Relative to the closed boat lock configuration, the full open configuration had a significantly higher passage rate in 2004 only, and a significantly shorter passage time in 2001. Relative to the closed boat lock configuration, the full operation with the boat lock open configuration was correlated with improved passage rates in 2 out of 4 years, with shorter passage times in 2001, and with longer passage times in 2002. The findings from this study suggest that the open boat lock can provide additional salmon passage at the salinity control gates, but that further multi-year studies using biotelemetry to track fish movement through Montezuma Slough should be addressed in future research.
Educative mentoring: Promoting reform‐based science teaching through mentoring relationships

Educative mentoring is an idea developed by Feiman-Nemser [Feiman-Nemser, S. (1998). Teachers as teacher educators. European Journal of Teacher Education, 21(1), 63–74; (2001). Helping novices learn to teach: Lessons from an exemplary support teacher. Journal of Teacher Education, 52(1), 17–30] to reflect current conceptions of mentoring that emphasize novices learning from their practice with the assistance of a mentor teacher. Educative mentoring seeks to meet the immediate needs of novice teachers while also focusing on long-term goals for professional development. This paper discusses the meaning of educative mentoring, describes key behaviors of educative mentors, outlines important components for the professional development of mentors, and proposes areas for further research with a specific emphasis on the needs of beginning science teachers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed94:1049–1071, 2010
Helix‐coil stability constants for the naturally occuring amino acids in water. XIV. Methionine parameters from random poly(hydroxypropylglutamine,L‐Methionine)

Water-soluble, random copolymers containing L-methionine and N5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-glutamine have been prepared, fractionated, and characterized. The thermally induced helix-coil transitions of these copolymers in water have been investigated, and it has been found that incorporation of L-methionine increases the helix content of the polymers at all temperatures in the range of 0–60°C. The Zimm-Bragg parameters σ and s for the helix-coil transition in poly(L-methionine) in water were deduced from an analysis of the melting curves of the copolymers using the methods described in earlier papers.
Design of low flying heads for floppy disk magnetic recording

Detailed calculations are presented for a realistic noncontact floppy disk/head interface. The numerical procedure is based on a factored-implicit finite difference algorithm which tracks a simultaneous solution of the air bearing and disk deflection asymptotically to steady-state. Examples are presented for a spherical head with either transverse or longitudinal ambient pressure slots. The slot is observed to draw off a portion of the air bearing flow rate and cause a reduction in flying height.
Biomarkers of terminal complement activation confirm the diagnosis of aHUS and differentiate aHUS from TTP.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is characterized by dysregulated complement activity, the development of a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), and widespread end organ injury. aHUS remains a clinical diagnosis without an objective laboratory test to confirm the diagnosis. We performed a retrospective analysis of 103 patients enrolled in the Ohio State University TTP/aHUS Registry presenting with an acute TMA. Nineteen patients were clinically categorized as aHUS based on the following criteria: (1) platelet count 2.25 mg/dL, and (3) a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 13 (ADAMTS13) activity >10%. Sixteen of 19 patients were treated with plasma exchange (PEX) therapy, with 6/16 (38%) responding to PEX. Nine patients were treated with eculizumab with 7/9 (78%) responding to therapy. In contrast to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients, no aHUS patients demonstrated ultralarge von Willebrand factor multimers at presentation. Median markers of generalized complement activation (C3a), alternative pathway (Bb), classical/lectin pathway (C4d), and terminal complement activation (C5a and C5b-9) were increased in the plasma of these 19 patients. Compared with a cohort of ADAMTS13-deficient TTP patients (n = 38), C5a and C5-9 were significantly higher in the 19 patients clinically characterized as aHUS, suggesting that pretreatment measurements of complement biomarkers C5a and C5b-9 may confirm the diagnosis of aHUS and differentiate it from TTP.
The Molecular Evolution of the p120-Catenin Subfamily and Its Functional Associations

Background: p120-catenin (p120) is the prototypical member of a subclass of armadillo-related proteins that includes dcatenin/NPRAP, ARVCF, p0071, and the more distantly related plakophilins 1–3. In vertebrates, p120 is essential in regulating surface expression and stability of all classical cadherins, and directly interacts with Kaiso, a BTB/ZF family transcription factor. Methodology/Principal Findings: To clarify functional relationships between these proteins and how they relate to the classical cadherins, we have examined the proteomes of 14 diverse vertebrate and metazoan species. The data reveal a single ancient d-catenin-like p120 family member present in the earliest metazoans and conserved throughout metazoan evolution. This single p120 family protein is present in all protostomes, and in certain early-branching chordate lineages. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that gene duplication and functional diversification into ‘‘p120-like’’ and ‘‘d-catenin-like’’ proteins occurred in the urochordate-vertebrate ancestor. Additional gene duplications during early vertebrate evolution gave rise to the seven vertebrate p120 family members. Kaiso family members (i.e., Kaiso, ZBTB38 and ZBTB4) are found only in vertebrates, their origin following that of the p120-like gene lineage and coinciding with the evolution of vertebratespecific mechanisms of epigenetic gene regulation by CpG island methylation. Conclusions/Significance: The p120 protein family evolved from a common d-catenin-like ancestor present in all metazoans. Through several rounds of gene duplication and diversification, however, p120 evolved in vertebrates into an essential, ubiquitously expressed protein, whereas loss of the more selectively expressed d-catenin, p0071 and ARVCF are tolerated in most species. Together with phylogenetic studies of the vertebrate cadherins, our data suggest that the p120like and d-catenin-like genes co-evolved separately with non-neural (E- and P-cadherin) and neural (N- and R-cadherin) cadherin lineages, respectively. The expansion of p120 relative to d-catenin during vertebrate evolution may reflect the pivotal and largely disproportionate role of the non-neural cadherins with respect to evolution of the wide range of somatic morphology present in vertebrates today.
Engineering Escherichia coli for production of functionalized terpenoids using plant P450s

Terpenoids are a highly diverse class of natural products that have historically provided a rich source for discovery of pharmacologically active small molecules, such as paclitaxel (Taxol) and artemisinin. Unfortunately, these secondary metabolites are typically produced in low abundance in their host organism, and their isolation consequently suffers from low yields and high consumption of natural resources. Furthermore, chemical synthesis of terpenoids can also be difficult to scale for industrial production. For these reasons, an attractive alternative strategy is to engineer metabolic pathways for production of pharmaceuticals or their precursors in a microbial host such as Escherichia coli. A key step is developing methods to carry out cytochrome P450 (P450)-based oxidation chemistry in vivo. Toward this goal, we have assembled two heterologous pathways for the biosynthesis of plant-derived terpenoid natural products, and we present the first examples of in vivo production of functionalized terpenoids in E. coli at high titer using native plant P450s.
L-cycloserine slows the clinical and pathological course in mice with globoid cell leukodystrophy (twitcher mice).

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe's disease) is an autosomal recessive disease that affects the lysosomal enzyme galactosylceramidase. Galactosylceramidase removes galactose from galactosylceramide and psychosine, which are derived from sphingosine. In the present study, L-cycloserine (an inhibitor of 3-ketodyhydrosphingosine synthase) was administered to the twitcher mouse, an authentic model of globoid cell leukodystrophy. Twitcher mice treated with L-cycloserine had a significantly longer life span and a delayed onset of weight loss than vehicle-injected twitcher mice. Pathological features such as macrophage infiltration and astrocyte gliosis also were less in treated twitcher mice. These results indicate that substrate reduction therapy may have therapeutic value for individuals with residual enzymatic activity, e.g., individuals with late onset disease or individuals with partial enzyme replacement via bone marrow transplantation. In these cases, a reduction in galactosylceramide and psychosine synthesis would enable residual enzymatic activity to keep up with the accumulation of these substrates that would otherwise lead to pathology.
Risk of thrombosis with the use of sirolimus-eluting stents for percutaneous coronary intervention (from registry and clinical trial data)

We conducted a meta-analysis on 6 studies in 2,963 patients who had coronary artery disease and received a sirolimus-eluting stent or a bare metal stent for revascularization. Compared with bare metal stents, sirolimus-eluting stents did not appear to increase the risk for thrombosis up to 13.5 months after coronary intervention (risk ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.22 to 1.12, p = 0.09).
Revisiting the Old French Lai de Tyolet in light of the Middle Dutch Lancelot Compilation and Lancelot en het Hert met de witte voet

Despite their modest stature within the vast corpus of extant Arthurian romance, the Lancelot en het Hert met de witte voet and the Lai de Tyolet have much to offer the student of the genre: They are approachably short, and their interdependency as translation and adaptation of a model holds particular value. This article examines what the Lancelot en het Hert met de witte voet can reveal about the Old French Lai de Tyolet. Striking changes that the Middle Dutch translator–compiler made, afford us a window into the near contemporary reception of the model, allowing for a less culturally biased assessment of the merits of the source text.
Cerebral blood flow changes in normal aging: Spect measurements

Global and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) were evaluated with single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) utilizing both 133 Xenon ( 133 Xe) (47 subjects, 47-82 years old) and 99Tc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime ( 99 Tc-HMPAO) (27 subjects, 47-80 years old). The 133 Xe results showed: among total subjects, no age-related decline in global CBF, but a significant regional decline in the occipital lobe (p < 0.05); among men, significant age-related declines in global, frontal, temporal, occipital and right hemisphere CBF (all p < 0.05); among women, no age-related decline in global or regional CBF. The 99Tc-HMPAO results showed no age-related decline in either global or regional perfusion among total subjects, men or women. These results suggest that age-related global and regional (including frontal lobe) CBF declines do not occur in healthy control subjects after the age of 45 years. However, gender differences in age-related CBF changes warrant further study.
DMT self-administration by monkeys in isolation

Three rhesus monkeys trained to smoke lettuce cigarettes for water reward extinguished responding when given water ad lib or when the hallucinogen dimethyltryptamine (DMT) was added to the lettuce. Monkeys were then individually confined to an operant unit placed in a sensory isolation chamber that deprived them of light and sound but permitted infrared video monitoring. After continuous isolation for several days, two monkeys consistently self-administered DMT in performance marked by dramatic changes in perceptual-motor behaviors. These results suggest that animals will self-administer a hallucinogen when it provides stimulation in an otherwise deprived environment.
Resources and responsibility for professional education in blood transfusion therapy

Two current problems in blood transfusion services are the widespread lack of information on this subject among practicing physicians, house staff, and medical students, and the dearth of broadly trained, full- time professionals in the field. Our most important and urgent responsibility is to train physicians who seek full-time careers in any aspect of blood transfusion services, blood center management, hospital transfusion services, research, or combination thereof. Successful training programs require sufficient space, personnel, and funds. In addition, blood centers have a responsibility to educate practicing physicians and house staff by formal teaching sessions, or informally when problems arise. Medical school curricula usually contain little on blood banking; exposure to some basic immunohematology or a visit to a blood center will help sensitize students to the availability of blood. Hospital administrators, regional medical society officers, and corporate medical directors, informed of the blood centers'activities, can help improve relationships between center, hospital, and community.
Comparison of Procedures to Convert Sire Evaluations Between Countries

Four methods for determining intercepts and regression coefficients of formulas to convert sire evaluations from one country to another were applied to data from Canada to estimate US PD. Four data sets were used: information from bulls with 1) Repeatabilities of at least 55%, 2) Repeatabilities of at least 75%, 3) Repeatabilities of at least 75% and initially sampled in the exporting country, and 4) Repeatabilities of at least 75% and young enough so that daughters with records used in calculating evaluations could not have resulted from decisions based on an evaluation in the other country. Use of assumed scale relationships of 53, 1.96, and 1.68 kg/ breed class average unit for milk, fat, and protein was found inappropriate, especially for fat. Ordinary least squares method produced reasonable intercepts but small regression coefficients. Methods attributed to Goddard and Wilmink and recommended by the International Bull Evaluation Service generally produced similar equations and were of similar accuracy in predicting PD from independent samples. The Goddard method is recommended on an intuitive basis. Results were affected more by choice of data than by choice of method. The data set judged most appropriate contained information for bulls with Repeatabilities of at least 75% that were initially sampled in Canada, the exporting country.
Tertiary interactions within the ribosomal exit tunnel

Although tertiary folding of whole protein domains is prohibited by the cramped dimensions of the ribosomal tunnel, dynamic tertiary interactions may permit folding of small elementary units within the tunnel. To probe this possibility, we used a beta-hairpin and an alpha-helical hairpin from the cytosolic N terminus of a voltage-gated potassium channel and determined a probability of folding for each at defined locations inside and outside the tunnel. Minimalist tertiary structures can form near the exit port of the tunnel, a region that provides an entropic window for initial exploration of local peptide conformations. Tertiary subdomains of the nascent peptide fold sequentially, but not independently, during translation. These studies offer an approach for diagnosing the molecular basis for folding defects that lead to protein malfunction and provide insight into the role of the ribosome during early potassium channel biogenesis.
Postnatal anti-interferon-γ treatment prevents pancreatic inflammation in transgenic mice with β-cell expression of interferon-γ

beta-Cell-targeted expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) leads to pancreatitis and immune sensitization to beta-cells. This transgenic model is used to explore the possible role of locally produced IFN-gamma in loss of tolerance to beta-cell-specific antigens in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The aim of the present study was to test if postnatal treatment with antibodies against IFN-gamma could inhibit morphological changes in the IFN-gamma transgenic pancreas, even though the transgene is expressed during embryogenesis. Treatment with a monoclonal rat anti-mouse IFN-gamma antibody for 6 weeks, starting from 5 to 7 days of age, completely inhibited IFN-gamma-induced morphological changes in the pancreas, and only a modest inflammatory reaction emerged after prolonged treatment for 12 weeks. The lack of morphological changes may reflect the ability of nonterminally differentiated neonatal pancreatic cells to compensate for transgene-induced pathological alterations occurring in utero prior to the antibody treatment. We conclude that inflammation and altered pancreas morphology in the transgenic mice is the result of the biological actions of IFN-gamma and not by disrupted islet development due to transgene overexpression in the pancreatic beta-cells. Furthermore, our treatment schedule can serve as a model for future intervention studies in the transgenic mice, elaborating the role of IFN-gamma in localized inflammatory reactions, IDDM in particular.
Do responses of galliform birds vary adaptively with predator size

Past studies of galliform anti-predator behavior show that they discriminate between aerial and ground predators, producing distinctive, functionally referential vocalizations to each class. Within the category of aerial predators, however, studies using overhead models, video images and observations of natural encounters with birds of prey report little evidence that galliforms discriminate between different raptor species. This pattern suggests that the aerial alarm response may be triggered by general features of objects moving in the air. To test whether these birds are also sensitive to more detailed differences between raptor species, adult chickens with young were presented with variously sized trained raptors (small, intermediate, large) under controlled conditions. In response to the small hawk, there was a decline in anti-predator aggression and in aerial alarm calling as the young grew older and less vulnerable to attack by a hawk of this size. During the same developmental period, responses to the largest hawk, which posed the smallest threat to the young at all stages, did not change; there were intermediate changes at this time in response to the middle-sized hawk. Thus the anti-predator behavior of the adult birds varied in an adaptive fashion, changing as a function of both chick age and risk. We discuss these results in light of current issues concerning the cognitive mechanisms underlying alarm calling behavior in animals.
Thinning pine plantations to reestablish oak openings species in northwestern Ohio

Globally the area in forest plantations is rising by 2% annually, increasing the importance of plantations for production of human goods and services and for ecological functions such as carbon storage and biodiversity conservation. Specifically in the Great Lakes states and provinces of Midwestern North America, thousands of hectares of pine plantations were established in the early and mid-1900s to revegetate abandoned agricultural fields that had replaced mixed-species forests and oak–prairie ecosystems. Plantation establishment also was intended to bolster the timber base. Management priorities have shifted, with many resource managers currently seeking to manage existing plantations for promoting mixed-species ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to assess plant succession and the reestablishment of oak savanna and prairie species after thinning 14 plantations of Pinus resinosa and strobus in northwestern Ohio, USA. Thinning reduced tree basal area by an average of 75%. Plant communities were sampled on 0.05-ha plots one and 3 years after thinning and compared to 10 unthinned control plantations. By 3 years after thinning, thinned plots contained 2–3 times more species and 14 times more plant cover than control plots. The species composition of colonizing plants was most strongly correlated with residual pine basal area and soil variables related to drainage (e.g., sand concentration, available water capacity). Although plant composition was dominated by widespread colonizers such as Erechtites hieraciifolia, the coefficient of conservatism (indicative of species of more intact, undisturbed communities) significantly increased on thinned plots from year 1 to 3. This finding, coupled with the presence of four rare, state-listed Ohio species whose eight plot occurrences all were on thinned plots, suggests that plant composition is moving towards species typifying more high-quality savanna and prairie habitats.
Quantitative estimates of saturation.

Scales relating saturation to colorimetric purity have been derived from magnitude estimations for red (W29) and green (W65) test stimuli of 4° and 1.5° subtense. Scales based on homochromatic comparisons at several luminance levels follow a power-law form, with exponents ranging from 1.80 to 2.30. There is evidence that saturation scales for red and green light differ in slope, with the red scale being of consistently higher slope than the green. This difference is demonstrated clearly by heterochromatic saturation matches for a large number of colorimetric purities, but is not substantiated by magnitude estimations utilizing heterochromatic comparisons. It is suggested that observers are not able to apply a ratio definition of saturation in making quantitative comparisons of heterochromatic stimuli by the method of magnitude estimation, and that real differences between saturation scales for differing hues may be masked by the adoption of median magnitude estimations as a quantitative index of perceived saturations.
Production and characterization of antisera raised to the manninotrionate group [α-D-Galp-(1→6)-α-D-Galp-(1→6)-D-gluconate]

Manninotrionate [alpha-D-Galp-(1----6)-alpha-D-Galp-(1----6)-D-gluconate] was coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), and antisera were raised in rabbits to this carbohydrate-protein conjugate. The antisera were studied by quantitative precipitation and hapten inhibition. Antisera against the manninotrionate-BSA conjugate showed the greatest reactivity with the homologous manninotrionate-BSA antigen, but also cross-reacted extensively with a manninotrionate-ovalbumin conjugate. The antisera gave weak precipitin reactions with beef-lung galactan, guaran, gum arabic, and larch arabinogalactan. Quantitative hapten-inhibition studies with a series of galactosyloligosaccharides indicated that the antisera possess a high degree of specificity toward terminal alpha-D-Galp-(1----6)-alpha-D-Galp units. The antisera did not agglutinate Ehrlich ascites tumor-cells, which have been demonstrated to contain cell-surface glycoproteins having alpha-D-galactosyl end-groups.
Predictors of survival in patients with end-stage renal disease evaluated for kidney transplantation.

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study examined the all-cause mortality in 3,698 patients with ESRD evaluated for kidney transplantation at our institution from 2001 to 2004. Mean age for the cohort was 48 ± 12 years, and 42% were women. Stress myocardial perfusion imaging was done in 2,207 patients (60%) and coronary angiography in 260 patients (7%). There were 622 deaths (17%) during a mean follow-up period of 30 ± 15 months. The presence and severity of coronary disease on angiography was not predictive of survival. Coronary revascularization did not impact survival (p = 0.6) except in patients with 3-vessel disease (p = 0.05). The best predictor of death was left ventricular ejection fraction, measured by gated myocardial perfusion imaging, with 2.7% mortality increase for each 1% ejection fraction decrease. In conclusion, left ventricular ejection fraction is a strong predictor of survival in patients with ESRD awaiting renal transplantation. Strategies to improve cardiac function or earlier renal transplantation deserve further studies.
Misoprostol, Diarrhea, and Psyllium Mucilloid

Excerpt To the Editor:Misoprostol (Cytotec, G.D. Searle and Co., Chicago, Illinois) is a prostaglandin E1analog that was developed in an effort to protect the stomach from nonsteroidal anti-inflamm...
2-Methoxyestradiol binding of GPR30 down-regulates angiotensin AT1 receptor

Controlling angiotensin AT1 receptor function has been shown to be protective for many pathophysiological disorders. Although estrogen metabolite, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) can down-regulate angiotensin AT1 receptor expression independently of nuclear receptors, no specific cellular targets have been identified. This study was focused on identification and validation of a cellular target responsible for 2ME2-mediated angiotensin AT1 receptor down-regulation in a continuously passaged rat liver epithelial cell line. Cell membranes were isolated and used to determine 2ME2 specific binding. Cell membranes exposed to [3H]2ME2 showed specific saturable binding, which was found to be pertussis toxin (PTx) sensitive. Under similar conditions, G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) agonist (G1) and antagonist (G15) inhibited 2ME2 specific binding. In these cells GPR30 was found localized to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. In intact cells, G1 down-regulated angiotensin AT1 receptor expression and this effect was reversed by G15. Furthermore, 2ME2 mediated activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) followed by ERK1/2 phosphorylation, an essential signaling step in angiotensin AT1 receptor down-regulation, was abrogated by G15, suggesting that this signal is GPR30 dependent. Additionally, EGF was found to independently down-regulate angiotensin AT1 receptor in an ERK1/2-dependent manner. In summary, our results demonstrate for the first time that 2ME2 down-regulation of angiotensin AT1 receptor is dependent on ER membrane-associated GRP30. Moreover, this effect is facilitated by GPR30 dependent transactivation of EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. This study provides further understanding of the physiological significance of 2ME2 and its role in modulating angiotensin AT1 receptor expression.
The particle‐hole component of the 2‐particle green function—its relation to the canonical particle‐hole states and its N‐representability

The relation between the 2-particle Green function and the projections of the excited states onto the particle-hole space of the ground state of a fermion system is derived for the case in which the spectrum of the Green function is totally discrete. From this relation, the conditions for the N-representability of the 2-particle Green function are obtained, as is an explicit representation of the projection operator for the particle-hole space. The projection operator for the 2-particle-2-hole space is also presented.
Determination of xanthine and guanine in microgram quantities.

A sensitive, convenient method for the colorimetric determination of xanthine and guanine in mixtures of nucleic acid derivatives and partially purified biological fluids is described. Recovery of these bases at the microgram level is close to 100%.
When an Authoritarian State Victimizes the Nation: Transitional Justice, Collective Memory, and Political Divides

In this article, the author uses the concept of "transitional justice"—defined as the way societies or groups elect to deal with the past as they establish a new system—to examine the manner in which political behavior in postauthoritarian states both manifests and modifies aggressor-victim memory. Comparing the cases of transition from authoritarianism to democracy in South Africa, El Salvador, and Poland, she contrasts the positive outcomes of the open confrontation with "silent memory" in South Africa with the failure of Poland and El Salvador, in different ways, to deal conclusively and consistently with the past. In the case of Poland, the initial silence turned the past into a political football that soured the citizenry on political participation. In the case of El Salvador, the author posits that "boomerang justice" stimulated by outside interests has split the population and alienated both sides from effective political action. The article thereby advances an interpretation of political behavior ...
SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS AND MEASLES VACCINE

The mean interval between measles and onset of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is approximately 6 years. Death usually occurs in 6 to 12 months thereafter. Measles virus may be recovered from brain tissues at time of biopsy and autopsy. High measles antibody titers are present in the serum and spinal fluid. The use of killed and live measles vaccines for young children has introduced the possibility that the vaccines may cause the disease or stimulate expression of a latent infection. A history of measles infection was documented in 114 of the 200 patients with SSPE. The mean incubation period between time of measles infection and onset of SSPE was 6 years ± 2.5 years. The administration of measles vaccine following measles infection did not effect this interval. In this population there was no evidence that measles vaccine shortened the “incubation period” of SSPE.
A Unique Form of Mental Retardation with a Distinctive Phenotype Maps to Xq26-q27

We report a novel X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) syndrome, with characteristic facial dysmorphic features, segregating in a large North Carolina family. Only males are affected, over four generations. Clinical findings in the seven living affected males include a moderate degree of mental retardation (MR), coarse facies, puffy eyelids, narrow palpebral fissures, prominent supraorbital ridges, a bulbous nose, a prominent lower lip, large ears, obesity, and large testicles. Cephalometric measurements suggest that the affected males have a distinctive craniofacial skeletal structure, when compared with normative measures. Obligate-carrier females are unaffected with MR, but the results of cephalometric skeletal analysis suggest craniofacial dysmorphisms intermediate between affected males and normative control individuals. Unaffected male relatives show no clinical or cephalometric resemblance to affected males. The blood-lymphocyte karyotype and the results of DNA analysis for fragile-X syndrome and of other routine investigations are normal. Linkage analysis for polymorphic DNA markers spanning the X chromosome established linkage to Xq26-q27. Maximum LOD scores were obtained at marker DXS1047 (maximum LOD score = 3.1 at recombination fraction 0). By use of haplotype analysis, we have localized the gene for this condition to an 18-cM genetic interval flanked by ATA59C05 and GATA31E08. On the basis of both the clinical phenotype and the mapping data, we were able to exclude other reported XLMR conditions. Therefore, we believe that a unique recessive XLMR syndrome with a distinctive and recognizable phenotype is represented in this family.
NAD(P)H Sensors Based on Enzyme Entrapment in Ferrocene-Containing Polyacrylamide-Based Redox Gels

NADH and NADPH sensors were developed by entrapping lipoamide dehydrogenase (LD) and glutathione reductase (GR), respectively, in a redox gel formed by the copolymerization of vinylferrocene with a...
Optimization of primer design for the detection of variable genomic lesions in cancer

Primer approximation multiplex PCR (PAMP) is a new experimental protocol for efficiently assaying structural variation in genomes. PAMP is particularly suited to cancer genomes where the precise breakpoints of alterations such as deletions or translocations vary between patients. The design of PCR primer sets for PAMP is challenging because a large number of primer pairs are required to detect alterations in the hundreds of kilobases range that can occur in cancer. These sets of primers must achieve high coverage of the region of interest, while avoiding primer dimers and satisfying the physico-chemical constraints of good PCR primers. We describe a natural formulation of these constraints as a combinatorial optimization problem. We show that the PAMP primer design problem is NP-hard, and design algorithms based on simulated annealing and integer programming, that provide good solutions to this problem in practice. The algorithms are applied to a test region around the known CDKN2A deletion, which show excellent results even in a 1:49 mixture of mutated:wild-type cells. We use these test results to help set design parameters for larger problems. We can achieve near-optimal designs for regions close to 1 Mb. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Quantitative Object Motion Prediction By An Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) Neural Network

An Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) neural network is applied for the estimation and prediction of object motion states in real time. A bottom-up process of the network keeps track of the motion history of the object and a top-down process generates the prediction of the object motion. A retrospective enforcement process adjusts the network parameters to respond dynamically to the object motion. The process does not require any assumption of the object motion model and is applicable to a variety of situations where object motion exhibits irregular and abrupt variations.
WIND‐DRIVEN CIRCULATION IN UNSTRATIFIED LAKES

Observations of the wind-driven circulation in the vertical plane of unstratified lakes, including some new results indicating a logarithmic current profile near the lake surface, are presented. A theoretical velocity profile that is in fair agreement with a stress-driven laboratory flow, and that may approximate to the steady circulation in the central section of lakes of nearly uniform depth, is also developed. From this profile, an estimate is made of the effect on the wind setup of a gently sloping lake bottom.
Sonography First for Acute Flank Pain

s part of the Sound Judgment Series, this article describes the case of a patient presenting with acute flank pain and a classic clinical picture of a first episode of renal colic. The epidemiologic characteristics, pathophysiologic characteristics, risk factors, and initial assessment of patients with renal colic are briefly discussed. Imaging options are discussed, with emphasis on sonography and computed tomography (CT). Although CT is typically a first-line test in the United States and is very accurate, there is increasing awareness of the radiation risk associated with CT scanning. Sonography may directly visualize kidney stones and/or evidence of ureteral obstruction and may obviate the need for CT scanning. Sonography is typically the first-line test in Europe, even in a first episode of kidney stones. We submit that sonography as an initial imaging modality in suspected kidney stones should be considered more often, particularly in younger and female patients with classic symptoms on first presentation and in patients with symptoms consistent with their prior episodes of renal colic, reserving CT for patients in whom symptoms do not resolve or there is a suspicion of alternative diagnoses. Decisions about imaging may offer an opportunity for shared decision making about what initial imaging modality to use. Clinical Case
Higher basal serine phosphorylation of D1Areceptors in proximal tubules of old Fischer 344 rats

Dopamine (DA) and D1-like receptor agonists promote an increase in Na excretion by means of activation of the D1-like receptor signaling cascade and subsequent inhibition of the Na/H exchanger and ...
Automated Alkaline Phosphatase Determination: III. Evaluation of Phenolphthalein Monophosphate

An automated procedure for the determination of serum alkaline phosphatase uses phenolphthalein monophosphate as the substrate. Important assets of this substrate are: (1) A chromogenic product is enzymically produced and can be measured directly; (2) Bilirubin does not interfere, thus eliminating the need for a control analysis. Excellent agreement is obtained when the enzyme activities determined by the present method and by the automated p-nitrophenylphosphate procedure are compared.
A Model for Rolling Swarms of Locusts

We construct an individual-based kinematic model of rolling migratory locust swarms. The model incorporates social interactions, gravity, wind, and the effect of the impenetrable boundary formed by the ground. We study the model using numerical simulations and tools from statistical mechanics, namely the notion of H-stability. For a free-space swarm (no wind and gravity), as the number of locusts increases, the group approaches a crystalline lattice of fixed density if it is H-stable, and in contrast becomes ever denser if it is catastrophic. Numerical simulations suggest that whether or not a swarm rolls depends on the statistical mechanical properties of the corresponding free-space swarm. For a swarm that is H-stable in free space, gravity causes the group to land and form a crystalline lattice. Wind, in turn, smears the swarm out along the ground until all individuals are stationary. In contrast, for a swarm that is catastrophic in free space, gravity causes the group to land and form a bubble-like shape. In the presence of wind, the swarm migrates with a rolling motion similar to natural locust swarms. The rolling structure is similar to that observed by biologists, and includes a takeoff zone, a landing zone, and a stationary zone where grounded locusts can rest and feed.
Genome size reduction can trigger rapid phenotypic evolution in invasive plants.

†Background and Aims The study of rapid evolution in invasive species has highlighted the fundamental role played by founder events, emergence of genetic novelties through recombination and rapid response to new selective pressures. However, whether rapid adaptation of introduced species can be driven by punctual changes in genome organization has received little attention. In plants, variation in genome size, i.e. variation in the amount of DNA per monoploid set of chromosomes through loss or gain of repeated DNA sequences, is known to influence a number of physiological, phenological and life-history features. The present study investigated whether change in genome size has contributed to the evolution of greater potential of vegetative growth in invasive populations of an introduced grass. †Methods The study was based on the recent demonstration that invasive genotypes of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) occurring in North America have emerged from recombination between introduced European strains. The genome sizes of more than 200 invasive and native genotypes were measured and their genome size was related to their phenotypic traits measured in a common glasshouse environment. Population genetics data were used to infer phylogeographical relationships between study populations, and the evolutionary history of genome size within the study species was inferred. †Key Results Invasive genotypes had a smaller genome than European native genotypes from which they are derived. This smaller genome size had phenotypic effects that increased the species’ invasive potential, including a higher early growth rate, due to a negative relationship between genome size and rate of stem elongation. Based on inferred phylogeographical relationships of invasive and native populations, evolutionary models were consistent with a scenario of genome reduction by natural selection during the invasion process, rather than a scenario of stochastic change. †Conclusions Punctual reduction in genome size could cause rapid changes in key phenotypic traits that enhance invasive ability. Although the generality of genome size variation leading to phenotypic evolution and the specific genomic mechanisms involved are not known, change in genome size may constitute an important but previously under-appreciated mechanism of rapid evolutionary change that may promote evolutionary novelties over short time scales.
An improved strategy for the synthesis of [18F]-labeled arabinofuranosyl nucleosides

Abstract The expression of the herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) gene can be imaged efficaciously using a variety of 2′-[ 18 F]fluoro-2′-deoxy-1-b-D-arabinofuranosyl-uracil derivatives [[ 18 F]-FXAU, X=I(iodo), E(ethyl), and M(methyl)]. However, the application of these derivatives in clinical and translational studies has been impeded by their complicated and long syntheses (3–5h). To remedy these issues, in the study at hand we have investigated whether microwave or combined catalysts could facilitate the coupling reaction between sugar and nucleobase and, further, have probed the feasibility of establishing a novel approach for [ 18 F]-FXAU synthesis. We have demonstrated that the rate of the trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf)-catalyzed coupling reaction between the 2-deoxy-sugar and uracil derivatives at 90 °C can be significantly accelerated by microwave-driven heating or by the addition of Lewis acid catalyst (SnCl 4 ). Further, we have observed that the stability of the α- and β-anomers of [ 18 F]-FXAU derivatives differs during the hydrolysis step. Using the microwave-driven heating approach, overall decay-corrected radiochemical yields of 19%–27% were achieved for [ 18 F]-FXAU in 120min at a specific activity of >22MBq/nmol (595Ci/mmol). Ultimately, we believe that these high yielding syntheses of [ 18 F]-FIAU, [ 18 F]-FMAU and [ 18 F]-FEAU will facilitate routine production for clinical applications.
The Control System's Design of the Upper Air Crawling Robot

The crawling robot can carry the detector set to inspect the mast or the rope, this paper introduced the robot’s composition and the function, and carried on control system's design to the robot
Open aneurysm repair at an endovascular center: value of a modified retroperitoneal approach in patients at high risk with difficult aneurysms.

Abstract Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and the role of a modified retroperitoneal approach in a high-volume endovascular center. Methods We reviewed prospectively collected data for 175 elective infrarenal open AAA repairs performed over 6 years. A transperitoneal approach was used in 118 procedures, and a modified retroperitoneal approach was used in 57 procedures. The incisional modification, which facilitated repair in patients with massive obesity, scarring, or ventral hernia, included a higher, more posterolateral location in the ninth intercostal space. Risk factors that added to the difficulty of the repair included aneurysms with a short ( P = .04-.001) in the retroperitoneal group. All factors were correlated with outcome. Results Despite these risk factors, overall 30-day mortality was 3.5% (retroperitoneal group, 3.8%), and mean length of hospital stay was 9 days (retroperitoneal group, 8 days). There was no significant correlation between mortality or length of stay and any of the mentioned risk factors ( P > .2). Conclusion In the era of endovascular aneurysm exclusion, open AAA repair is generally used to treat anatomically complex or difficult aneurysms, many of which are present in patients at high risk. Despite this combination of anatomic and systemic risk factors, the modified retroperitoneal approach facilitates treatment in difficult circumstances and enables open AAA repair to be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity.