cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PAS Domain Allostery and Light-induced Conformational Changes in Photoactive Yellow Protein upon I2 Intermediate Formation, Probed with Enhanced Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is a small bacterial photoreceptor that undergoes a light-activated reaction cycle. PYP is also the prototypical Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain. PAS domains, found in diverse multi-domain proteins from bacteria to humans, mediate protein–protein interactions and function as sensors and signal transducers. Here, we investigate conformational and dynamic changes in solution in wild-type PYP upon formation of the long-lived putative signaling intermediate I2 with enhanced hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS). The DXMS results showed that the central β-sheet remains stable but specific external protein segments become strongly deprotected. Light-induced disruption of the dark-state hydrogen bonding network in I2 produces increased flexibility and opening of PAS core helices α3 and α4, releases the β4-β5 hairpin, and propagates conformational changes to the central β-sheet. Surprisingly, the first ∼10 N-terminal residues, which are essential for fast dark-state recovery from I2, become more protected. By combining the DXMS results with our crystallographic structures, which reveal detailed changes near the chromophore but limited protein conformational change, we propose a mechanism for I2 state formation. This mechanism integrates the results from diverse biophysical studies of PYP, and links an allosteric T to R-state conformational transition to three pathways for signal propagation within the PYP fold. On the basis of the observed changes in PYP plus commonalities shared among PAS domain proteins, we further propose that PAS domains share this conformational mechanism, which explains the versatile signal transduction properties of the structurally conserved PYP/PAS module by framework-encoded allostery.
The Zn(II) binding motifs of E. coli DNA topoisomerase I is part of a high-affinity DNA binding domain

Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I binds three Zn(II) with three tetracysteine motifs. Three subclones containing these tetracysteine motifs were expressed and purified. Subclone ZD1 contained the minimal tetracysteine motifs sequence. A larger subclone ZD2 corresponded to a region bordered by two protease sensitive sites. Subclone ZD3 also included the 14-kDa C-terminal domain that has been shown to bind DNA. Subclones ZD1 and ZD2 were found to bind one and two Zn(II), respectively, and neither had detectable DNA binding activity. ZD3 could bind three Zn(II) and had higher DNA binding affinity than the 14-kDa C-terminal domain. The complex formed between ZD3 and a single-stranded 31mer could be detected by the gel shift assay while the complex formed by the 14-kDa C-terminal domain was not stable under gel electrophoresis conditions. The three Zn(II) binding motifs appeared to be part of a high-affinity DNA binding domain.
Theiler's virus-infected L-selectin-deficient mice have decreased infiltration of CD8(+) T lymphocytes in central nervous system but clear the virus.

Abstract Mice with targeted deletion of l -selectin gene ( l -sel −/− ) were used to investigate the role of adhesion molecule in immunologic responses following virus infection in the central nervous system (CNS). l -Sel −/− mice from a resistant H-2 b genetic background and parental wild-type H-2 b (C57BL/6) mice were infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) intracerebrally and the kinetics of virus replication and infiltration of immune cells in the CNS determined. The levels of infectious TMEV, as measured by plaque assay at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after infection were between 4 and 6 log 10 PFU of virus per gram of CNS tissues at days 3 and 7 post-infection, and then decreased to undetectable levels by day 14 after infection in both strains of mice. The l -sel −/− mice had decreased numbers of CD8 + T lymphocytes (17.72%±2.4) infiltrating into the CNS at 7 days post-infection when compared to wild-type mice (31.02%±7.5). In addition, the l -sel −/− mice had significantly lower levels of TMEV-specific serum IgG resulting in lower virus neutralizing activity of the serum when compared to wild-type mice. However, the l -sel −/− mice had 2.5-fold increase in B lymphocytes in the CNS (8.29%±1.1) when compared to wild-type mice (3.2%±0.4). Taken together, these data indicate that l -selectin plays a role in recruitment of B and CD8 + T lymphocytes into the CNS following virus infection, which, however, did not affect the ability of the mice to clear TMEV infection.
Synergism of Carbenicillin and Gentamicin Against Enterococci

Carbenicillin and gentamicin were tested for synergism against 25 strains of enterococci by two different methods. Killing curves were determined by doing serial colony counts of broth cultures containing the antibiotics separately and in combination. The combination was synergistic for all 25 strains with 75 and 4 μg of carbenicillin and gentamicin per ml, respectively. Reducing the concentrations to 50 and 3 μg of the antibiotics per ml with four strains significantly reduced the rate of killing of the combination. Synergism was also studied by constructing isobolograms, by using the standard two-dimensional broth dilution checker-board technique, and by measuring the end points both for minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). Synergism was present for all 25 strains when bactericidal end points (MBCs) were evaluated, but was present for only 7 of the 25 strains when MICs were used to construct isobolograms. The time and effort involved were roughly the same for killing curves and for isobolograms, and it was concluded that neither had a distinct advantage over the other.
Retreading Tire Management with Business Intelligence

Justifying the development of a business intelligence system is challenging when the primary beneficiaries of the system are internal to the company responsible for that development; it is even harder to justify when the system is designed to produce a new service that is radically different than current in-house manufactured products. This case explores the possibility of a tire manufacturer developing a business intelligence system to help their customers manage very large heavy equipment tires within the mining industry. These tires are one of the biggest expenses for mining companies and this case discusses the opportunity to use business intelligence to manage that expense. This case encourages discussion of such topics as: the issues involved in system initiation from technology personnel, the need to incorporate both real-time and historical data in a system, the need for technology personnel to have deep knowledge of an application domain, and the challenges that arise from integrating data produced by disparate systems.
Insights From Natural Host-Parasite Interactions: The Drosophila Model

Immune responses against opportunistic pathogens have been extensively studied in Drosophila, leading to a detailed map of the genetics behind innate immunity networks including the Toll, Imd, Jak-Stat, and JNK pathways. However, immune mechanisms of other organisms, such as plants, have primarily been investigated using natural pathogens. It was the use of natural pathogens in plant research that revealed the plant R-Avr system, a specialized immune response derived from antagonistic coevolution between plant immune proteins and their natural pathogens’ virulence proteins. Thus, we recommend that researchers begin to use natural Drosophila pathogens to identify novel immune strategies that may have arisen through antagonistic coevolution with common natural pathogens. In this review, we address the benefits of using natural pathogens in research, describe the known natural pathogens of Drosophila, and discuss the future prospects for research on natural pathogens of Drosophila.
Why tolerance and voluntaryism are bad ideas: Stanley Hauerwas’s summons to Baptists and other “enlightened” Christians

I here argue that, among Stanley Hauerwas’ many other salutary influences on Baptists, not the least of them is his pointing us beyond tolerance and voluntaryism as Christian virtues. I show how he has helped us discern that the church will be tolerated by an increasingly dominating nation-state only if we Christians behave as the state demands, especially in moral matters, and that we must thus learn how to live in a non-tolerant manner. I also argue that Hauerwas’ case against a strictly voluntarist idea of Christian faith helps us to reclaim the Church’s original understanding of baptism as the act whereby, even among us who advocate believers’ baptism, we are incorporated into the Body of Christ. It is not something we voluntarily choose but rather the gift that we non-voluntarily receive.
Transforming Community Access to Space Science Models

Researching and forecasting the ever changing space environment (often referred to as space weather) and its influence on humans and their activities are model-intensive disciplines. This is true because the physical processes involved are complex, but, in contrast to terrestrial weather, the supporting observations are typically sparse. Models play a vital role in establishing a physically meaningful context for interpreting limited observations, testing theory, and producing both nowcasts and forecasts. For example, with accurate forecasting of hazardous space weather conditions, spacecraft operators can place sensitive systems in safe modes, and power utilities can protect critical network components from damage caused by large currents induced in transmission lines by geomagnetic storms.
Increasing Pt oxygen reduction reaction activity and durability with a carbon-doped TiO2 nanocoating catalyst support

We report a conductive TiO2 nanocoating on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a Pt electrocatalyst support that shows a significant enhancement in Pt catalyst activity and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction. By using CNTs as the substrate for TiO2 nanocoating, the nanoscale morphology of the oxide was retained during heat treatment. After carbon doping of the TiO2 nanocoating, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests a shift in the binding energy of Ti 2p, implying a suboxide formation. The X-ray absorption near-edge structure showed the mid-edge and post-edge up to 5010 eV, which are attributed to a 1s → 4p transition and promotion of a photoelectron to higher vacant orbitals of Ti and Ti–O anti-bonding states. The observed smaller coordination number implies that a suboxide was formed with substitutional carbon. On the other hand, the extended X-ray absorption fine structure showed that carbon also exists in interstitial positions. Electrochemical studies showed that the carbon-doped TiO2/CNT support has a much greater electrical conductivity than that of undoped TiO2/CNT, demonstrating that carbon doping is an effective way to achieve electrical conductivity in the oxide. Pt supported on the carbon-doped TiO2/CNTs (Pt/c-TiO2/CNTs) showed a better oxygen reduction activity than a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The catalyst only has a less than 3% loss in activity after electrochemical cycling 5000 times, as compared to an activity loss of about 55% for the Pt/C catalyst. The much better activity and durability of the TiO2 nanocoating supported Pt was attributed to the oxygen deficient oxide support surfaces and strong metal–support interactions.
Formation of the alpha-aminoacrylate immediate limits the overall reaction catalyzed by O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase.

O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A (OASS-A) catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of l-cysteine, viz., the β-substitution of acetate in O-acetyl-l-serine (OAS) by sulfide via a ping-pong kinetic mechanism. Rapid-scanning stopped-flow and single-wavelength absorbance and fluorescence stopped-flow experiments were carried out to obtain information on the location and amount of limitation of rate-determining steps for the overall reaction and the individual half-reactions of OASS-A. The first half-reaction, conversion of OAS to the α-aminoacrylate intermediate and acetate, is rate-limiting for the overall reaction catalyzed by OASS-A. No intermediates are detected within the second half-reaction, and thus rate constants for all steps must be ≥1000 s-1 at the lowest sulfide concentration used. Within the first half reaction, formation of the external Schiff base (Kassociation = 0.2 mM-1) is observed in the first few milliseconds, followed by its slower conversion to the α-aminoacrylate intermediate with a rat...
A comparative effectiveness trial of postoperative management for lumbar spine surgery: changing behavior through physical therapy (CBPT) study protocol

The United States has the highest rate of lumbar spine surgery in the world, with rates increasing over 200% since 1990. Medicare spends over $1 billion annually on lumbar spine surgery. Despite surgical advances, up to 40% of patients report chronic pain and disability following surgery. Our work has demonstrated that fear of movement is a risk factor for increased pain and disability and decreased physical function in patients following lumbar spine surgery for degenerative conditions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and self-management treatments have the potential to address psychosocial risk factors and improve outcomes after spine surgery, but are unavailable or insufficiently adapted for postoperative care. Our research team developed a cognitive-behavioral based self-management approach to postoperative rehabilitation (Changing Behavior through Physical Therapy (CBPT)). Pilot testing of the CBPT program demonstrated greater improvement in pain, disability, physical and mental health, and physical performance compared to education. The current study compares which of two treatments provided by telephone – a CBPT Program or an Education Program about postoperative recovery - are more effective for improving patient-centered outcomes in adults following lumbar spine surgery for degenerative conditions. A multi-center, comparative effectiveness trial will be conducted. Two hundred and sixty patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery for degenerative conditions will be recruited from two medical centers and community surgical practices. Participants will be randomly assigned to CBPT or Education at 6 weeks following surgery. Treatments consist of six weekly telephone sessions with a trained physical therapist. The primary outcome will be disability and secondary outcomes include pain, general health, and physical activity. Outcomes will be assessed preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after surgery by an assessor masked to group allocation. Effective rehabilitation treatments that can guide clinicians in their recommendations, and patients in their actions will have the potential to effect change in current clinical practice. NCT02184143 .
Placement sequence identification using artificial neural networks in surface mount PCB assembly

The widespread use of automation in the printed circuit board (PCB) assembly domain has been dictated by the increasing density of components on PCBs coupled with the continual decrease in component lead pitch, greater product mix, smaller volumes, quality considerations, and the increased cost of labour. However, these advances in technology have also resulted in automated systems that are complex, and solving problems related to these systems requires the efficient use of extensive specialised knowledge. Expert (or knowledge-based) systems have become a widely accepted problem solving methodology for the surface mount PCB assembly domain. Nevertheless, problems in the PCB assembly domains are frequently unstructured, ill-defined, and difficult to communicate. Artificial neural networks provide a novel approach and an advanced technology to deal with the weaknesses and problems associated with expert systems. The surface mount component (SMC) placement process plays a vital and influential part in determining the throughput time of a PCB assembly line. It is important to identify an efficient component placement sequence while considering constraints such as feeder location and tooling and nozzle optimisation. This research studied the use of artificial neural networks as a complement to expert systems in PCB assembly. A prototype decision support system that combined the use of artificial neural networks and expert system techniques to identify a near optimal solution for the surface mount placement sequence problem was designed, implemented, and validated. Artificial intelligence based technologies such as expert systems and artificial neural networks were used in a mutually supportive manner to solve a complex problem within the surface mount PCB assembly domain.
Investigating transport, mixing and the formation of ice in cumuli with gaseous tracer techniques

Applications of tracer techniques using insoluble sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) to studies of transport, mixing and the activation of silver iodide (AgI) aerosols in cumuli are presented. One cumulus was treated with SF6 and the aerosol near the cloud top (−13.5°C), in a region of little vertical transport. Up to 24% of the potential nuclei produced measurable ice particles 7 min after treatment, in accord with the results of recent laboratory measurements of activation of this aerosol by contact nucleation. A second cumulus was treated at the cloud base with SF6 and the aerosol. The materials were transported to and mixed through the upper regions of the cloud. Ice particles evidently formed near the cloud top (estimated cloud top temperature −13°C). Only low concentrations of natural ice were found in untreated regions of the cloud. In the treated regions the ice particle concentrations in the cold, upper part of the cloud and in downdrafts at lower levels were consistent with the concentrations of AgI nuclei estimated from the tracer measurements. At lower levels of the cloud the materials were not so well mixed, the most concentrated regions being found on the upshear side of the cloud and dilute regions down shear. Mid and upper level ice concentrations were greatest in downdrafts on the downshear side, suggesting that the downdraft was important in transporting the ice to lower levels of the cloud.
The Horizontal/Vertical Distinction in Cross-Cultural Consumer Research

We argue for the importance of a relatively new cultural distinction in the horizontal (valuing equality) or vertical (emphasizing hierarchy) nature of cultures and cultural orientations. A review of the existing cross-cultural literature is presented suggesting that, although the contribution of the horizontal/vertical distinction is sometimes obscured by methods that conflate it with other dimensions, its impact is distinct from that associated with individualism–collectivism. We present studies that highlight several sources of value for the horizontal/vertical distinction—as a predictor of new consumer psychology phenomena and as a basis for refining the understanding of known phenomena. Results support the utility of examining this distinction for the understanding of personal values, advertising and consumer persuasion, self-presentational patterns, and gender differences. Methodological issues in studying the horizontal/vertical distinction are also discussed.
Age-related changes in spatial and temporal gait variables

Abstract Grabiner PC, Biswas ST, Grabiner MD. Age-related changes in spatial and temporal gait variables. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001;82:31-5. Objective: To extend recent findings describing the effect of age on spatial and temporal gait variables. Design: Experimental. Setting: A gait analysis laboratory. Participants: Two experiments with healthy nonfallers were conducted. Experiment 1 included 33 subjects ( n = 15, 72.13 ± 3.96yr; n = 18, 25.06 ± 4.02yr); and experiment 2 included 24 subjects ( n = 14, 75.57 ± 6.15yr; n = 10; 28.10 ± 3.48yr). Interventions: The effect of age, walking velocity, shoe condition, and performance of an attention-splitting task on gait variables was investigated. Main Outcome Measures: Temporal and spatial gait variables were quantified using an instrumented surface across which subjects walked. The independent variables were walking velocity variability, stride length variability, stride width variability, and stride time variability. Results: Stride width variability of older adults was significantly larger than that of younger adults in both experiments. The remaining gait variables demonstrated nonsystematic or no age-related differences. Conclusions: With the exception of stride width variability, the variability of the remaining gait variables of interest were insensitive to the speed at which subjects walked, whether the subjects were wearing shoes or not, and performing an attention-splitting task while walking. These findings contribute to an emerging interpretive framework established by similar work published by others regarding gait variability. © 2001 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Strategic communication of hope and anger: A case of Duke University's conflict management with multiple publics

Abstract This study analyzes, from a conflict perspective, 139 conflict-focused newspaper stories about the 2006 Duke University lacrosse team crisis case. Findings show that media coverage emphasized the University's expression of hope, while highlighting the various publics’ expressions of anger. Duke University employed concession as its primary litigation strategy and adjustment as its primary conflict strategy to communicate with multiple publics. Duke's conflict stances were more accommodative toward internal publics than they were toward external publics.
Bedside monitoring of heparin therapy: comparison of activated clotting time to activated partial thromboplastin time

Heparin anticoagulation is utilized during and after interventional cardiac catheterization procedures to reduce the risk of acute thrombotic coronary artery occlusion. The short half-life of heparin, the importance of maintaining therapeutic anticoagulation, and the time delay inherent in the processing and retrieval of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) by the hospital laboratory has generated interest in point-of-care heparin monitoring. The activated clotting time (ACT), the aPTT as assessed by both a new portable device, as well as the hospital laboratory, and heparin levels (H) were obtained from the same sample of blood in 100 patients receiving intravenous heparin. There was an excellent correlation between the aPTT determined at the bedside and by the hospital laboratory (r = .89). The ACT did not correlate well with either the laboratory or bedside aPTT (r = .63, .68 respectively). In the sub-therapeutic and therapeutic range, there was essentially no correlation between ACT and H. Only ACT values > 225 sec were predictive of therapeutic or supra-therapeutic aPTTs. ACT values < 225 sec, however, were not useful in predicting degree of anticoagulation. In situations in which the maintenance of therapeutic anticoagulation is critical as well as those in which the determination of lack of anticoagulation is required, the bedside determination of aPTT appears to be a useful tool.
Orosensory stimulation is sufficient and postingestive negative feedback is not necessary for neuropeptide Y to increase sucrose intake

Although central administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) has a potent orexic effect, it is not clear how NPY changes the potency of peripheral feedbacks from the gut to prolong eating and increase meal size. It has been suggested that NPY increases the stimulating effect of orosensory sweet stimuli or that it decreases the inhibitory effect of postingestive stimuli. To clarify this issue, we compared the orexic effect of NPY (2 microg) injected into the third ventricle of the brain on the volume and microstructure of intake of 0.8M sucrose during sham feeding (SF) and real feeding (RF) in male Sprague Dawley rats. The rationale for this comparison is that orosensory stimulation occurs in SF and RF, but postingestive negative feedback is present only in RF. NPY increased the volume ingested and the rate and number of clusters of licking significantly more in SF than in RF. This demonstrates that orosensory sucrose stimulation is sufficient and postingestive negative feedback is not necessary for the orexic effect of NPY under these experimental conditions.
Preferential nuclear binding of estrogen in the formalin-fixed rat uterus

Rat uterus fixed overnight in buffered formalin retains the ability to specifically bind estradiol. However, the estrogen binding property of fixed tissue appears preferentially localized in the nuclear fraction regardless of hormonal status. Furthermore, the quantity of the nuclear estrogen receptor in fresh or fixed uterus is virtually identical in the presence or absence of estrogenic hormone. Yet, while both tissue preparations exhibit equivalent increases in the total nuclear receptor occupancy after hormone exposure, only the fresh uterus contains a major cytosolic estrogen binder which decreases in availability upon the estrogen-induced elevation of the nuclear bound steroid. However, the cytosolic estrogen receptor exhibits a significant loss in its ligand binding property after formalin exposure. Thus, the preferential localization of estrogen binding in the nuclear fraction of fixed whole tissue may just reflect that only the tightly bound nuclear estrogen receptor's functional and/or structural integrity survives long-term formation fixation. Our observation of estrogen binding in preserved tissue may also be a clinically useful tool in therapy analysis.
Elastic stability of DNA configurations. II. Supercoiled plasmids with self-contact.

Configurations of protein-free DNA miniplasmids are calculated with the effects of impenetrability and self-contact forces taken into account by using exact solutions of Kirchhoff's equations of equilibrium for elastic rods of circular cross section. Bifurcation diagrams are presented as graphs of excess link, $\ensuremath{\Delta}\mathcal{L},$ versus writhe, W, and the stability criteria derived in paper I of this series are employed in a search for regions of such diagrams that correspond to configurations that are stable, in the sense that they give local minima to elastic energy. Primary bifurcation branches that originate at circular configurations are composed of configurations with ${\mathrm{D}}_{m}$ symmetry $(m=2,3,\dots{}).$ Among the results obtained are the following. (i) There are configurations with ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$ symmetry forming secondary bifurcation branches which emerge from the primary branch with $m=3,$ and bifurcation of such secondary branches gives rise to tertiary branches of configurations without symmetry. (ii) Whether or not self-contact occurs, a noncircular configuration in the primary branch with $m=2,$ called branch \ensuremath{\alpha}, is stable when for it the derivative $d\ensuremath{\Delta}\mathcal{L}/d\mathcal{W},$ computed along that branch, is strictly positive. (iii) For configurations not in \ensuremath{\alpha}, the condition $d\ensuremath{\Delta}\mathcal{L}/d\mathcal{W}g0$ is not sufficient for stability; in fact, each nonplanar contact-free configuration that is in a branch other than \ensuremath{\alpha} is unstable. A rule relating the number of points of self-contact and the occurrence of intervals of such contact to the magnitude of $\ensuremath{\Delta}\mathcal{L},$ which in paper I was found to hold for segments of DNA subject to strong anchoring end conditions, is here observed to hold for computed configurations of protein-free miniplasmids.
Race, Family History of Hypertension, and Sympathetic Response to Cold Pressor Testing

Calhoun DA, Mutinga ML. Race, family history of hypertension, and sympathetic response to cold pressor stress.This laboratory recently reported that the blood pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses to cold pressor testing are greater in normotensive blacks than in age-and weight-matched normotensive whites. The present study was designed to determine the relationship between race, family history of hypertension, and sympathetic response to cold pressor testing. The study used microneurography to measure MSNA responses to cold pressor testing in normotensive blacks with (n = 8) and without (n = 8) and normotensive white subjects with (n= 8) and without (n= 10) a positive family history of hypertension. Resting blood pressure was lower in black subjects without a positive family history of hypertension but otherwise resting blood pressure, heart rate, and MSNA were similar in the four groups. Black subjects with a family history of hypertension manifested a greater increase in blood...
Compartmentalization of non-adenine nucleotides in anoxic cardiac myocytes.

Loss of 5′-nucleotides from cardiac myocytes is a distinguishing feature of myocardial ischemia. Previous work has documented dislocations of metabolic processes mediated by both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, especially the adenine nucleotides. This study was designed to establish the extent of anoxia-induced depletion of non-adenine nucleotides in the cytosolic compartment of heart muscle cells. Cardiac myocytes were incubated aerobically (O2) or anoxically (N2) for 30 or 60 min; anoxic cells at both time points were reoxygenated for 10 min. Roughly 85–90% of cytosine triphosphate (CTP) and uridine triphosphate (UTP) were cytosolic under aerobic conditions, compared with 62% of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and 90% of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) under similar conditions. Similarly, the total cytidine and uridine nucleotide pool of aerobic myocytes was 70–90% cytosolic vs. 61% of total guanine nucleotides and 78% of total adenine nucleotides. After the onset of anoxia, cytosolic nucleotides (principally the triphosphate forms) were quickly degraded. Reoxygenation of anoxic myocytes for 10 min allowed some recovery of ATP, GTP, and CTP, but very little recovery of UTP. The recovered nucleotide appeared almost exclusively in the cytosol. These results support the concept that non-adenine nucleotides could reach critically low levels in anoxic or ischemic heart in advance of adenine nucleotides. The importance of the depletion of non-adenine nucleotides is discussed in terms of the energetic needs of the myocyte, and the need for the cell to drive G-protein-coupled reactions, lipid synthesis, and glycogenesis.
Morphology and deformation behavior of polymer blends made of poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine)

Abstract The effect of a small amount of ionic groups (interactions) on the morphology and deformation behavior of stoichiometric blends made of poly(styrene- co -styrenesulfonic acid) (SPS) and poly(methyl methacrylate- co -4-vinylpyridine) (MVP) was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FTIR data revealed that intermolecular ion–ion interactions were formed between SPS and MVP polymers, arising from proton transfer from sulfonic acid groups to pyridine groups upon blending. TEM observations show that the morphology of the blends changes from macroscopic phase separation to microscopic phase separation, and to miscibility, with increasing ion content of the blends from 0 to 6 mol%. Correspondingly, deformation behavior of the blends changes from crazing only, to curved and branched crazing, and to crazing plus shear deformation. Such changes in deformation mode can be understood as arising from the morphological changes and the increase of ‘effective’ strand density due to the formation of ionic cross-links in the blends.
Brain Gray Matter Changes Associated with Mindfulness Meditation in Older Adults: An Exploratory Pilot Study using Voxel-based Morphometry.

Background Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have previously been associated with structural gray matter changes in normal healthy adults. However, it remains unknown if standardized MBIs can induce similar changes in older adults and those with health complaints as well. The objective of this investigation was to examine the effect of a standardized MBI on the gray matter tissue of older adults with sleep disturbances. Methods This exploratory single-group pilot longitudinal study examined local gray matter changes over a six-week MBI period. Participants included six older adult community volunteers (M=66.5 years of age, SD=5.5, range=58-75; 66% female) with sleep disturbances recruited through advertisement in local newspapers/flyers posted at a university medical center and affiliated clinics in Los Angeles, CA. The MBI was delivered as a weekly, two-hour, six-session, group-based course in mindfulness meditation. Gray matter was measured voxel-wise pre- and post-intervention. Results A significant gray matter increase was identified within the precuneus, possibly implicating meditation-induced changes of the default mode network. In contrast, observed significant gray matter decreases may have been driven by MBI-related remediation of brain architecture subserving sleep complaints. Conclusions Exploratory findings suggest that mindfulness meditation practice is associated with a detectable alteration of cerebral gray matter in older adults.
Potent cannabinergic indole analogues as radioiodinatable brain imaging agents for the CB1 cannabinoid receptor.

A series of novel aminoalkylindoles was synthesized in an effort to develop compounds that are potent agonists at the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and that are also easily labeled with radioisotopes of iodine for biochemical and imaging studies. 2-Iodophenyl-[1-(1-methylpiperidin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methanone (8, AM2233) had a very high affinity for the rat CB1 receptor, with most of the affinity residing with the (R)-enantiomer. Radioiodinated 8, (R)-8, and (S)-8 were prepared by radioiododestannylation of the tributyltin analogues in high yields, radiochemical purities, and specific radioactivities. In a mouse hippocampal membrane preparation with [131I](R)-8 as radioligand, racemic 8 exhibited a Ki value of 0.2 nM compared with 1.6 nM for WIN55212-2. In autoradiographic experiments with mouse brain sections, the distribution of radioiodinated 8 was consistent with that of brain CB1 receptors. Again, very little specific binding was seen with the (S)-enantiomer [131I](S)-8 and none occurred with the (...
Finding Common Ground in the Commons: Intracultural Variation in Users' Conceptions of Coastal Fisheries Issues

Population growth in U.S. coastal areas has spawned conflicts due to increasing competition between commercial and leisure uses of coastal resources. Organizations representing different user groups routinely misrepresent the causes and severity of environmental stresses to further their political and economic agendas, often predicting extinctions of fish and shellfish and undermining balanced and reasoned management alternatives. This article illustrates this phenomenon with data on conflicts stemming from perceived problems concerning marine resources involving recreational and commercial fishers, with additional attention to managers' roles in such disputes. Cultural consensus analysis is used to understand variation in cultural conceptions concerning coastal resource problems among the different groups. Finally, the method's application for resolving environmental conflicts is discussed.
Brief communication: Possible third molar impactions in the hominid fossil record

Impacted third molars affect 15%–20% of modern Americans and Western Europeans. In contrast, third molar impactions have not been reported in the early hominid fossil record. It is uncertain whether the lack of reports reflects an absence of impactions or a failure to recognize them. This communication is intended to raise awareness of the possibility of impactions by describing the appearance of impacted teeth and by noting two possible instances of impaction in early hominids. Specifically, the mandibular third molars of the Sterkfontein specimen, STS52b (Australopithecus africanus), and the left maxillary third molar of the Lake Turkana specimen, KNM-WT17400 (Australopithecus boisei), are positioned in a manner which suggests that they would not have erupted normally. Both specimens also exhibit strong crowding of the anterior dentition, providing further support for the view that these individuals lacked sufficient space for normal eruption of the third molars. Other published reports of dental crowding in the hominid fossil record are noted, and it is suggested that more attention be paid to dental impaction and dental crowding in hominid evolution. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The importance of quantifying genetic heterogeneity in ADPKD

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary renal disease. New data from Paul et al. suggest that mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes may account for all cases of ADPKD. Further improvements in mutation detection methodologies are needed to determine the true relative frequency of PKD1 versus PKD2 as well as to establish the value of mutation type and location to predict disease severity in this disorder.
Forces Driving the Binding of Homeodomains to DNA

Homeodomains are helix−turn−helix type DNA-binding domains that exhibit sequence-specific DNA binding by insertion of their “recognition” α helices into the major groove and a short N-terminal arm into the adjacent minor groove without inducing substantial distortion of the DNA. The stability and DNA binding of four representatives of this family, MATα2, engrailed, Antennapedia, and NK-2, and truncated forms of the last two lacking their N-terminal arms have been studied by a combination of optical and microcalorimetric methods at different temperatures and salt concentrations. It was found that the stability of the free homeodomains in solution is rather low and, surprisingly, is reduced by the presence of the N-terminal arm for the Antennapedia and NK-2 domains. Their stabilities depend significantly upon the presence of salt: strongly for NaCl but less so for NaF, demonstrating specific interactions with chloride ions. The enthalpies of association of the homeodomains with their cognate DNAs are negat...
Inter-row Soil Cover to Reduce Incidence of Aphid-borne Viruses in Pumpkin

ABSTRACT Inter-row soil cover used in conjunction with vegetable crop production has the potential to reduce aphid-borne plant virus incidence while also reducing the need for pesticide applications and preserving inter-row soil structure. In this study, inter-row soil covers were compared with a conventional, bare soil treatment for their ability to reduce aphid-borne virus incidence and associated yield loss in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. var. pepo). In 2006, inter-row soil cover crops included Sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont de Courset)] G. Don], and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.). Sericea lespedeza was used in the 2007 trial, but naturally occurring weed species were used instead of sunn hemp. Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) was detected in the 2006 trial and Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and WMV were detected in the 2007 trial. In 2006, no differences were observed for WMV incidence among treatments, although significantly more aphids were identified on pumpkin plants in the Sericea lesped...
Algorithms for non-Hanan-based optimization for VLSI interconnect under a higher-order AWE model

To improve the performance of critical nets where both timing and wire resources are stringent, we integrate buffer insertion and driver sizing separately with non-Hanan optimization and propose two algorithms: simultaneous buffer insertion and non-Hanan optimization (BINO) and full-plane AWE routing with driver sizing (FAR-DS). For BINO, we consider the realistic situation that buffer locations are restricted to a limited set of available spaces after cell placement. The objective of BINO is to minimize a weighted sum of wire and buffer costs subject to timing constraints. To achieve this objective, we suggest a greedy algorithm that considers two operations independently: iterative buffer insertion and iterative buffer deletion. Both are conducted simultaneously with non-Hanan optimization until the improvement is exhausted. For FAR-DS, we investigate the curvature property of the sink delay as a function of both connection location and driver stage ratio in a two-dimensional (2-D) space. The objective of FAR-DS is to minimize a weighted sum of wire and driver cost while ensuring that the timing constraints are satisfied. Based on the curvature property, we search for the optimal solution in the continuous 2-D space. In both BINO and FAR-DS, a fourth-order AWE delay model is employed to assure the quality of optimization. Experiments of BINO and FAR-DS on both integrated circuit and MCM technologies showed significant cost reductions compared with SERT and MVERT in addition to making the interconnect to satisfy timing constraints.
Individual differences in implicit theories of leadership ability and self-efficacy: Predicting responses to stereotype threat

Extending research on implicit theories to the leadership domain, we examined how individual differences in belief about the malleability of leadership ability influenced responses to stereotype threat. The study consisted of two time periods. At time 1, we assessed individual differences in implicit theories of leadership ability and self-efficacy for leadership. At time 2, we activated a stereotype threat in a high-stakes environment. Results revealed that women reported lower self-evaluation after a stereotype threat when they had low self-efficacy and believed leadership ability to be fixed (entity theory) rather than malleable (incremental theory). Results are discussed in terms of how implicit theories generate a network of allied cognitions and emotions that subsequently predict stable patterns of behavior.
Cherry‐picking, cable, and the FCC

(1975). Cherry‐picking, cable, and the FCC. Journal of Broadcasting: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 43-53.
Therapeutic applications: natural killer cells in the clinic

Natural killer (NK) cells recognize targets stressed by malignant transformation or infection (particularly CMV). We now know that NK cells can be long-lived and remember past exposures. They become educated by interaction with MHC class I molecules to gain potent function to kill targets and produce cytokines. In the clinical setting, haploidentical NK cells can be transferred adoptively to treat cancer. Persistence and in vivo expansion of NK cells depends on lymphodepleting chemotherapy to make space for the release of endogenous IL-15. In vivo expansion is also enhanced by cytokine administration. IL-2 has been used at low doses to stimulate NK cells in vivo, but has the down side of stimulating CD25hi regulatory T cells. IL-15 is now being tested and has the advantage of avoiding inhibitory regulatory T cell stimulation. In refractory acute myeloid leukemia, leukemia clearance is correlated with the persistence and in vivo expansion of NK cells after adoptive transfer. Limitations to NK cell therapy include poor in vivo survival and lack of specificity. Monoclonal antibodies and bispecific or trispecific killer engagers to target CD16 on NK cells to enhance recognition of various tumor antigens and ADAM17 inhibition to prevent CD16 shedding after NK cell activation should promote enhanced killing of cancer with specificity. Future strategies to exploit favorable donor immunogenetics or to expand NK cells ex vivo from blood, progenitors, or pluripotent progenitors may overcome immune barriers of adoptive transfer and comparative clinical trials will be needed to test these approaches.
The deubiquitinase emperor's thumb is a regulator of apoptosis in Drosophila

We have characterized the gene emperor's thumb (et) and showed that it is required for the regulation of apoptosis in Drosophila. Loss-of-function mutations in et result in apoptosis associated with a decrease in the concentration of DIAP1. Overexpression of one form of et inhibits apoptosis, consistent with et having an anti-apoptotic function; however, overexpression of a second form of et induces apoptosis, indicating that the two forms of et may have competing functions. et encodes a protein deubiquitinase, suggesting it regulates apoptosis by controlling the stability of apoptotic regulatory proteins.
Novel Phase Modulator Linearity Measurement

Phase modulator linearity is an important concern for high dynamic range phase modulated optic links. However, the determination of phase modulator linearity is difficult as it requires an optical phase demodulator that generally contains nonlinear distortion that tends to contaminate the measurements. In this letter, we present a simple and effective approach for phase modulator linearity measurement that can be made into a photonic integrated circuit and does not require a reference linear phase modulator. We also present the measurement results.
Prospects for quantitative computed tomography imaging in the presence of foreign metal bodies using statistical image reconstruction.

X-raycomputed tomography(CT)images of patients bearing metal intracavitary applicators or other metal foreign objects exhibit severe artifacts including streaks and aliasing. We have systematically evaluated via computer simulations the impact of scattered radiation, the polyenergetic spectrum, and measurement noise on the performance of three reconstruction algorithms: conventional filtered backprojection (FBP), deterministic iterative deblurring, and a new iterative algorithm, alternating minimization (AM), based on a CTdetector model that includes noise,scatter, and polyenergetic spectra. Contrary to the dominant view of the literature, FBP streaking artifacts are due mostly to mismatches between FBP’s simplified model of CTdetector response and the physical process of signal acquisition. Artifacts on AM images are significantly mitigated as this algorithm substantially reduces detector-model mismatches. However, metal artifacts are reduced to acceptable levels only when prior knowledge of the metal object in the patient, including its pose, shape, and attenuation map, are used to constrain AM’s iterations. AM image reconstruction, in combination with object-constrained CT to estimate the pose of metal objects in the patient, is a promising approach for effectively mitigating metal artifacts and making quantitative estimation of tissue attenuation coefficients a clinical possibility.
An unidentified factor present in hog intestinal mucosa required by the mink.

It has been demonstrated that mink given a purified ration require two unidentified liver factors for survival (Schaefer, Tove, Whitehair and Elvehjem, '48). One of these factors was found to be soluble in 60% methanol (methanol extract fac tor) and the other was insoluble in this solvent (residue fac tor). In an effort to determine whether the nutritional needs of this animal could be met by liver supplementation, mink were maintained on this regimen for a longer time than in the experiments previously reported. The data presented here show that the mink requires an additional factor present in hog intestinal mucosa. EXPERIMENTAL AND RESULTS
INSULIN CONCENTRATION INTHE BLOOD OF NORMAL AND PANCREATECTOMIZED DOGS1

IT WAS PREVIOUSLY FOUND (1) that insulin can bedetected in human blood by injecting it intraperitoneally into the hypophysectomized adreno demedullated rat. If 1 cc.of human blood wasinjected per 1oo gm.of rat the blood sugar fell from 58 to 51 mg.% indicating an insulin content of 0.0002 U ofinsulin percc. In order to determine the specificity ofthis reaction forinsulin, experiments were carried out on pancreatectomized dogs. They were supplemented by studies ontheinfluence of insulin injected into these animals on the insulin content of the blood. The blood tobe tested for insulin wasinjected immediately into the peritoneal cavity of the hypophysectomized adreno demedullated rat. The procedure was the same as reported previously, except that 4 cc. of blood per 100 gm. rat were injected. The blood was tolerated bythe animals without any ill effects. Table 1 shows the hypoglycemic reaction produced bythe injection of normal dog's blood intothe hypophysectomized-adreno-demedullated rat.It wasfound that the...