cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The state of the state

Jens Bartelson, The Critique of the State, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Daniel Engster, Divine Sovereignty. The Origins of Modern State Power, Dekalb: Northern Illinois University Press, 2001. Stefano Harney, State Work. Public Administration and Mass Intellectuality, Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2002. Ian Hunter and David Saunders, editors, Natural Law and Civil Sovereignty. Moral Right and State Authority in Early Modern Political Thought, New York and Basingstoke: Palgrave/Macmillan, 2002. Char Roone Miller, Taylored Citizenship. State Institutions and Subjectivity,Westport, CTand London: Praeger, 2002.
Relation between social drug use-abuse and dental disease in California, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT This study has explored the social drug use/abuse patterns associated with dental disease. Seventy-seven subjects from the Berkeley Free Clinic were given questionnaires on their drug-use habits and then were examined for both DMF-T and OHI-S scores. Ninety-seven percent of the subjects indicated that they used one or more of the eight drugs being surveyed. The mean DMF-T of the subjects was 13.2 and the OHI-S was 2.61. The study indicated that persons who used barbiturates, miscellaneous hallucinogens and heroin have poorer oral hygiene than those in other categories. An unexpected finding was that subjects who used four or five of the surveyed drugs had lower DMF-T and OHI-S scores than those who used a lesser or a greater number of these drugs. The significance of these findings for an individual's oral health is not yet clear, but it is interesting that the oral hygiene index and DMF-T index did not increase with the increasing number of drugs used, although the specific use of barbiturates, miscellaneous hallucinogens and heroin were related to higher OHI-S scores. The lower OHI and DMF scores probably can be explained by the frequency of toothbrushing. Ninety-five percent of the 4–5 drug-use group brushed one or more times per day.
Psychological distress and substance abuse counselors: an exploratory pilot study of multiple dimensions of burnout

AbstractThose working in human services have a high susceptibility to burnout due to the counselor or clinician’s feelings of responsibility for the well-being of clients. Substance abuse counselors are at a higher risk for experiencing burnout because substance abusers have the potential to be more demanding than other client groups. The current exploratory pilot study seeks to examine the multiple constructs of burnout in substance abuse counselors. Fifty substance abuse counselors completed a survey to assess their levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, confidence in therapeutic success and negative attitudes towards their substance abusing clients. Results showed that counselors exhibit high levels of depersonalization after continued interpersonal interactions. Results also showed that emotional exhaustion is a significant predictor of whether or not a person will choose to remain a counselor in the area of substance abuse treatment. Depersonalization, confidence in therapeutic success an...
Early-onset Growth Hormone Deficiency Results in Diastolic Dysfunction in Adult-life and is Prevented by Growth Hormone Supplementation

Objective The primary goal of growth hormone (GH) replacement is to promote linear growth in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are also known to have roles in cardiac development and as modulators of myocardial structure and function in the adult heart. However, little is known about cardiac diastolic function in young adults with childhood onset GH deficiency in which GH treatment was discontinued following puberty. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of long standing GHD and peri-pubertal or continuous GH replacement therapy on diastolic function in the adult dwarf rat.
Rapid speaker adaptation using multi-stream Structural Maximum Likelihood Eigenspace Mapping

In this paper, we extend our previously proposed algorithm entitled Structural Maximum Likelihood Eigenspace Mapping (SMLEM) for rapid speaker adaptation. The SMLEM algorithm directly adapts Speaker Independent (SI) acoustic models to a test speaker by mapping the mixture Gaussian components from a SI eigenspace to Speaker Dependent (SD) eigenspaces in a maximum likelihood manner, with very limited adaptation data. In previous SMLEM paper, we presented encouraging results for SMLEM by adapting only the static feature components. In this paper, we propose a multi-stream approach where the static and dynamic feature streams are adapted. For small amounts of adaptation data ranging from 15 to 50 seconds, superior performance is demonstrated over both standard MLLR and block diagonal MLLR.
Low yield of endoscopy in patients with persistent dyspepsia taking proton pump inhibitors

Background: Options for the evaluation of dyspepsia include a Helicobacter pylori test-and-treat strategy, empiric acid suppression, and initial endoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the yield of endoscopy in patients in whom empiric therapy is unsuccessful compared with patients who received no empiric therapy and to identify factors associated with endoscopic findings. Methods: A total of 100 patients with dyspepsia referred for endoscopy completed a questionnaire that included a query concerning response to therapy. EGD findings were compared in patients taking an H2-receptor antagonist, patients taking a proton pump inhibitor, and those not receiving empiric therapy. Results: There were fewer endoscopic findings in patients being treated with a proton pump inhibitor compared with those taking an H2-receptor antagonist or those not receiving therapy (p < 0.01). Fewer proton pump inhibitor recipients had esophagitis or ulcer compared with patients in the no therapy group. Lack of symptom relief (<20%) by acid suppression was highly associated with a normal endoscopy (17/17). Conclusions: Patients with persistent dyspepsia being treated with a proton pump inhibitor have fewer endoscopic abnormalities compared with patients with dyspepsia taking an H2-receptor antagonist and those receiving no therapy. For patients with partial symptom relief, proton pump inhibitor therapy may mask endoscopic findings, particularly esophagitis. Interruption of proton pump inhibitors before endoscopy may increase diagnostic yield. Endoscopy is unlikely to yield a positive finding in patients who experience no symptom relief while taking a proton pump inhibitor or H2-receptor antagonist. (Gastrointest Endosc 2003;58:9-13.)
An in Situ Dual Indentation and Optimization Method to Determine Mechanical Properties of Articular Cartilage

The efficacy of the biphasic poroviscoelastic (BPVE) theory [1] in constitutive modeling of articular cartilage biomechanics is well-established [2–4]. Indeed, this model has been used to simultaneously predict stress relaxation force across confined compression, unconfined compression, and indentation protocols [2,3]. Previous works have also demonstrated success in simultaneously curve-fitting the BPVE model to reaction force and lateral deformation data gathered from stress relaxation tests of articular cartilage in unconfined compression [4]. However, a potential limitation of practical applications of such a successful model is seen in some commonly-employed mechanical testing methods for articular cartilage, such as confined compression and unconfined compression. These methods require the excision of a disk of cartilage from its underlying subchondral base, which likely would compromise the structural integrity of the tissue, causing swelling and curling artifacts of the sample [5]. Indentation represents a testing protocol that can be used with an intact cartilage layer. This results in a specimen more closely resembling cartilage in vivo. Using an agarose gel construct, our previous study [6] has demonstrated that a unique set of the six BPVE model parameters of a soft tissue can be determined readily from in situ dual indentation method using stress relaxation and creep viscoelastic protocols. The objective of the current study is to validate the efficacy of this technique as a means to determine the BPVE material parameters of articular cartilage.© 2007 ASME
The association of water molecules with the extracted benzohydroxamic acid chelates of uranium(VI) and iron(III)

Abstract The number of molecules of water associated with the benzohydroxamic acid chelates of uranium(VI) and iron(III) when extracted into alcohols was determined to be 6 ± 1 and 9 ± 3 respectively. A general relationship was established between the amount of chelate extracted by an alcohol and the amount of water soluble in it.
Nonverbal events in psychotherapy

Abstract A descriptive framework for characterizing nonverbal events is presented and used to review 40 empirical studies of nonverbal events in psychotherapy. These studies, reported between 1970–1986, were examined in terms of three methodological features: (a) whether participants in the therapy situations or nonparticipant judges were the sources of data; (b) whether aggregations of, or individual nonverbal events were described and/or analyzed; and (c) whether research outcomes arose from tests of specific hypotheses or from descriptive studies. Research outcomes were categorized in terms of the specific body channels and kinds of nonverbal events explored, as well as in terms of research foci (e.g., client characteristics, therapist characteristics, etc.). Researchers seem to prefer (a) to use nonparticipant judges as data sources, (b) to use aggregates of nonverbal events in analyses, and (c) to use a descriptive rather than hypothesis testing methodology. Problems with these preferences, and other research strategies (e.g., use of case studies, analogue patients, analogue therapists, and analogue therapies), are detailed. It is concluded that, despite the considerable expenditure of research effort, little is known about the relationship of nonverbal events to client and therapist characteristics or experiences in psychotherapy or to psychotherapeutic outcomes. Recommendations for possible future research are offered.
Transverse tensile and longitudinal shear behavior of unidirectional carbon-carbon composites

Abstract A considerable amount of experimental data is available which indicates that the transverse tensile and longitudinal shear properties of unidirectional carbon — carbon composites are extremely low relative, for example, to carbon —oxy composites. Utilizing a combination of micromechanical analyses and graphitic material physical considerations, a detailed evaluation of experimental observations has been made. A plausible explanation of the cause of these low properties has been formulated, and several suggestions for modifying the fabrication process to improve these properties are presented.
Social media use among adults with autism spectrum disorders

Adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at risk for significant social and emotional difficulties, yet show strengths and interests in screen-based technology. Previous studies have found that screen-based social media use can enhance social functioning for adults in the general population, yet studies have not yet examined social media use among adults with ASD. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns and social-emotional correlates of social media use in a sample of 108 adults with ASD. Participants completed self-report measures of social media use, friendship quality and quantity, and loneliness. The results indicated that the majority of participants (79.6%) used social networking sites (SNS), and that the most commonly cited reason for using SNS was social connection. Adults with ASD who used SNS were more likely to have close friends, and those who used SNS for social engagement reported closer friendship relationships. However, greater offline friendship quality and quantity, not social media use, were associated with decreased loneliness in the current sample. This was the first study to explore patterns of social media use among adults with ASD, andthe findings suggest a need for further longitudinal research to examine the relations among these variables over time.
Quantum channel capacities

Channel capacities measure the ultimate communication abilities of noisy channels. I discuss capacities for optical channels with Gaussian noise and show the capacity for quantum information has surprising aspects that could be probed experimentally.
Rapid Intensification of a Sheared, Fast-Moving Hurricane over the Gulf Stream

AbstractHurricane Irene (1999) rapidly intensified from 65 to 95 kt (~33.4 to 48.9 m s−1) in 18 h. During the rapid intensification (RI) period, the northeastward storm motion increased from 10 to 18 m s−1, the ambient southwesterly vertical wind shear increased from 6–7 to 10–13 m s −1, and the downshear tilt of the inner core vortex increased. The azimuthal wavenumber-1 asymmetric convection that developed was consistent with a superposition of shear-induced and storm motion–induced forcing for vertical motion downshear and ahead of the center. Although the diabatic heating remained strongly asymmetric, it was of sufficient intensity to dramatically increase the azimuthally averaged heating. This heating occurred almost entirely inside the radius of maximum winds, a region known to favor rapid warm core development and spinup of the vortex. It is hypothesized that asymmetric forcing from the large vertical wind shear and rapid storm motion were responsible for RI. An unanswered question is what determin...
Composing a self through writing: The ego and the ink

Abstract The power of expressive writing needs to be recognized, valued, and promoted within the therapeutic community. As clinicians have grown to appreciate the importance of clients ‘ storying, we need to open up new forms for these stories to emerge. When clients write for themselves, they express their innermost thoughts and feelings, often in disguised, metaphoric form. If they choose to share these writings with a clinician, therapy can move more spontaneously and rapidly around core conflicts and empathic attunement is heightened. This article includes writings from people of varying ages and literary abilities, demonstrating the curative benefit of creative writing.
Variations in the Association between Mid‐tropospheric Flow and Surface Temperatures across the United States

Mid-tropospheric flow has a major influence on surface temperatures through the differential advection of air masses into different mid-latitude regions. For this reason long-range temperature forecasts are largely dependent upon forecasts of mid-tropospheric flow. Thus monthly variations in the strength of this relationship can have a major influence on the accuracy of long-range temperature forecasts during different months of the year. Variations in the association between midtropospheric flow and mid-latitude surface temperatures are examined by correlating multiple indices of a surrogate measure of mean monthly 500-mb flow with mean monthly surface temperatures across the conterminous United States from 1951–80. There are major changes in the key areas of flow from one season to the next. Temperatures in the northwest and southeast appear to be most strongly associated with flow conditions. Midtropospheric flow is most strongly associated with surface temperatures during the transition seasons and during January.
Developmental rearrangement of cyanobacterial nitrogen-fixation genes

Abstract During the differentiation of nitrogen-fixing heterocysts from photosynthetic vegetative cells of the cyanobacterium Anabaena , two DNA rearrangements have been observed. One is the excision, by site-specific recombination between directly repeated sequences, of an 11-kbp element that interrupts the nifD gene. The second occurs next to the nifS gene and involves a different site-specific recombination system.
Primary pulmonary primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET): A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of six cases

Background The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of six primary pulmonary primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are reported.
Unintended Pregnancy and Abortion Access in the United States

This study examines the relationship between state restrictive abortion laws and the incidence of unintended pregnancy. Using 2006 data about pregnancy intentions, the empirical results found that no Medicaid funding, mandatory counseling laws, two-visit laws, and antiabortion attitudes have no significant effect on the unintended pregnancy rate, unwanted pregnancy rate, unintended pregnancy ratio, or the unwanted pregnancy ratio. Parental involvement laws have a significantly negative effect on the unintended and unwanted pregnancy rates and ratios. This latter result suggests that parental involvement laws alter teen minors' risky sexual activity and that behavioral modification has a cumulative effect on the pregnancy avoidance behavior of adult women of childbearing age. The empirical results remain robust even after controlling for regional effects, outliers, and the two different types of parental involvement laws.
Response of wheat to foliar phosphorus treatments under field and high temperature regimes

Abstract Potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) is applied commonly in dilute foliar sprays to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in China. Yield responses to foliar P sources have also been reported for several crop species in other countries. Experiments were conducted to determine efficacy of four P sources and four rates of KH2PO4 as foliar treatments on wheat under field conditions and KH2PO4 under two controlled temperature regimes. Grain yields were increased most by KH2PO4 followed by β‐glycerophosphate and tripolyphosphate; only phytic acid was ineffective. All rates of 1 to 4 kg ha‐1 KH2PO4 increased grain yields. Foliar KH2PO4 applications increased grain weight early under low controlled temperatures, but did not affect final grain weight under either temperature regime. Beneficial effects of foliar P treatments were associated with increased plant P content, which may have increased cell sugar content and protected membranes. Although preliminary results are favorable, additional research is needed to determ...
Digestive tract cell proliferation and food consumption patterns of Ha/ICR mice

The relationship between the daily pattern of food consumption and the proliferation rate of the oesophagus, stomach, forestomach, small intestine and colon of Ha/ICR mice was examined. Proliferative activity was determined by [3H]TdR incorporation on a wet weight tissue basis, along with selective counting of labelled nuclei. Under conditions of ad libitum feeding with a 12 hr light cycle (lights on at 0600) mice eat most of their food during the dark period. A distinct circadian rhythm was observed in the oesophagus, stomach, forestomach and colon with the peak of [3H]TdR incorporation between 0400 and 0600 and the nadir between 1600 and 1800. Although a circadian fluctuation was observed in the small intestine, its amplitude was much less than in other areas. This rhythmic change in proliferation rate could be phase shifted by allowing the mice to feed only between 0800 and 1600 for 14 days. Under these conditions the peak in proliferative activity occurred between 1800 and 2000. Fasting reduced the daily level of proliferative activity in all of the digestive tract sites studied, and for all areas except the oesophagus greatly reduced or eliminated the circadian fluctuation. The forestomach and colon were the most influenced by fasting with 24 hr [3H]TdR incorporation reduced to 30-40% of the control value. Refeeding following a 48 hr fast produced a rapid increase in proliferative activity peaking at levels well above the control value at 16 hr after the onset of refeeding. The major exception to this was the small intestine which slowly returned to the control value during the first 24 hr. Partial refeeding produced a diminished refeeding response. Once the normal pattern of food consumption was re-established following refeeding the normal proliferative fluctuations were again observed.
Circular dichroism of avian-erythrocyte chromatin and ethidium bromide bound to chromatin.

The circular dichroism of mature gander erythrocyte chromatin was compared with that of partially dehistonized chromatin and deproteinized DNA. The ellipticity at 275 nm for native chromatin was found to be three-times less than that for DNA. The 275-nm transition was gradually increased in magnitude upon removal of histones. Selective removal of the very lysine-rich histone I and the erythrocyte-specific histone V, but not histone I alone, resulted in a significant increase in transcription in vitro and ethidium bromide primary binding properties of chromatin. Concomitant with these changes a “blue shift” of the positive DNA band from 282 nm for native chromatin to 275 nm for purified DNA was observed. Optimal conditions for circular dichroism studies in ethidium bromide bound to DNA and native chromatin were determined. The circular dichroic spectra of ethidium bromide bound to native chromatin and partially deproteinized chromatin were found to be essentially the same as that exhibited by ethidium-bromide · DNA complexes. However, the ellipticity of the dye bound to native chromatin was smaller than that when ethidium bromide was bound to DNA. The 310-nm dye transition was increased after the removal of chromosomal proteins. Selective removal of histone I and V was found to generate the most notable increment in ellipticity. The represent results are consistent with recent interpretations on how ethidium bromide interacts with chromatin; native chromatin has fewer ethidium bromide primary binding sites than deproteinized DNA; the mode of this dye interaction in these two systems is nearly the same, if not identical.
Energetics of plasmid-mediated arsenate resistance in Escherichia coli

Plasmid R773, which codes for resistances to arsenate, arsenite, and antimony, was introduced into Escherichia coli strain AN120, a mutant deficient in the H+-translocating ATPase of oxidative phosphorylation. Cultures depleted of endogenous energy reserves were loaded with 74AsO3-4, and arsenate efflux was measured after dilution into medium containing various energy sources and inhibitors. Rapid extrusion of arsenate occurred when glucose was added. Arsenate was extruded both against and down a concentration gradient. In this strain glucose allows formation of both ATP via substrate-level phosphorylation and an electrochemical proton gradient (or protonmotive force) via oxidation of the products of glycolysis. When oxidation was inhibited by cyanide, glucose metabolism still produced arsenate efflux. Energy sources such as succinate, which supplies a protonmotive force but not ATP, did not result in efflux. Measurement of intracellular ATP concentration under each set of conditions demonstrated a direct correlation between the rate of efflux and ATP levels. Osmotically shocked cells lost the ability to extrude arsenate; however, no arsenate-binding activity was detected in osmotic shock fluid from induced cells. These results suggest that the arsenate efflux system is coupled to cellular ATP rather than an electrochemical proton gradient, possibly by an arsenate-translocating ATPase.
Nonlinear Mid-Infrared Photothermal Spectroscopy with Fiber Laser Probe

Nonlinear mid-infrared photothermal spectroscopy with an erbium-doped fiber laser probe is reported for a liquid crystal, using a tunable quantum cascade laser pump. Extreme nonlinear spectral enhancements are observed compared to the linear regime.
Lipid Trafficking in Plant Cells

Plant cells contain unique organelles such as chloroplasts with an extensive photosynthetic membrane. In addition, specialized epidermal cells produce an extracellular cuticle composed primarily of lipids, and storage cells accumulate large amounts of storage lipids. As lipid assembly is associated only with discrete membranes or organelles, there is a need for extensive lipid trafficking within plant cells, more so in specialized cells and sometimes also in response to changing environmental conditions such as phosphate deprivation. Because of the complexity of plant lipid metabolism and the inherent recalcitrance of membrane lipid transporters, the mechanisms of lipid transport within plant cells are not yet fully understood. Recently, several new proteins have been implicated in different aspects of plant lipid trafficking. While these proteins provide only first insights into limited aspects of lipid transport phenomena in plant cells, they represent exciting opportunities for further studies.
Radiation Sterilization of Aedes aegypti in Nitrogen and Implications for Sterile Male Technique

ONE of the problems that often arise with mosquitoes and other insects when radiation-induced dominant lethality (sterile-male technique) is used is that sterilized males cannot compete with untreated native males for matings with females. It is generally believed that the field trials of releases of radiation-sterilized males of Aedes aegypti in the United States were unsuccessful because radiation impaired vigour and competitive mating ability of released males1. In the case of Aedes aegypti, these conclusions were experimentally confirmed by Weidhaas and Schmidt2. Adults emerged from male pupae irradiated at 8,000 and 10,000 r inseminated only 4 and 0% of the females respectively when released into laboratory populations at a ratio of four treated males to one untreated.
An animal model for assessing the effects of chemical peels on photoaged skin

The treatment of photoaged human skin by chemical peeling has become increasingly popular in recent decades. Controlled studies with facial biopsies to assess histologic effects are understandably limited. Animal studies have been on normal rather than ultraviolet-exposed skin. The aim of this study, with the extensively studied photoaged hairless mouse model, was to examine commonly used peeling agents at concentrations used by dermatologists. Mice (six per group) were UVB-irradiated for 10 weeks to mildly photodam-age the skin. A central dorsal strip of skin was then treated at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after irradiation with one of the following: glycolic acid (50% and 70% in water, alcohol and propylene glycol); salicylic acid (20% and 30% in ethanol and water); trichloracetic acid (25% in water). A sixth group of mice was topically untreated. The peeled area was excised at week 10 after irradiation, processed for light microscopy and stained as follows: hematoxylin and eosin for general morphology, Luna...
Microfluidic Platform for Measuring Neutrophil Chemotaxis from Unprocessed Whole Blood

Neutrophils play an essential role in protection against infections and their numbers in the blood are frequently measured in the clinic. Higher neutrophil counts in the blood are usually an indicator of ongoing infections, while low neutrophil counts are a warning sign for higher risks for infections. To accomplish their functions, neutrophils also have to be able to move effectively from the blood where they spend most of their life, into tissues, where infections occur. Consequently, any defects in the ability of neutrophils to migrate can increase the risks for infections, even when neutrophils are present in appropriate numbers in the blood. However, measuring neutrophil migration ability in the clinic is a challenging task, which is time consuming, requires large volume of blood, and expert knowledge. To address these limitations, we designed a robust microfluidic assays for neutrophil migration, which requires a single droplet of unprocessed blood, circumvents the need for neutrophil separation, and is easy to quantify on a simple microscope. In this assay, neutrophils migrate directly from the blood droplet, through small channels, towards the source of chemoattractant. To prevent the granular flow of red blood cells through the same channels, we implemented mechanical filters with right angle turns that selectively block the advance of red blood cells. We validated the assay by comparing neutrophil migration from blood droplets collected from finger prick and venous blood. We also compared these whole blood (WB) sources with neutrophil migration from samples of purified neutrophils and found consistent speed and directionality between the three sources. This microfluidic platform will enable the study of human neutrophil migration in the clinic and the research setting to help advance our understanding of neutrophil functions in health and disease.
Adaptive hierarchic transformations for dynamically p-enriched slope-limiting over discontinuous Galerkin systems of generalized equations

We study a family of generalized slope limiters in two dimensions for Runge-Kutta discontinuous Galerkin (RKDG) solutions of advection-diffusion systems. We analyze the numerical behavior of these limiters applied to a pair of model problems, comparing the error of the approximate solutions, and discuss each limiter's advantages and disadvantages. We then introduce a series of coupled p-enrichment schemes that may be used as standalone dynamic p-enrichment strategies, or may be augmented via any in the family of variable-in-p slope limiters presented.
Age-related changes in thyroid hormone responsive protein (THRP) expression in cerebral tissue of rats

To determine if aging in rats is associated with insensitivity of cerebral tissue to thyroid hormones (TH), the expression of a TH responsive protein or (THRP) in cerebral tissue was studied in male Fischer rats at 4, 12 and 24 months of age during euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid states. The basal levels of THRP mRNA was significantly increased in 24-month-old and in 12-month-old rats while THRP mass measured by Western blots was decreased compared to 4-month-old rats. Compared to euthyroid rats, hyperthyroidism in 4-month-old rats was associated with 5.1-fold increase in THRP mRNA and 3.7-fold increase in protein content while in hyperthyroid aged rats, the increase of THRP mRNA was only 1.6-fold and the increase in the protein was 2.4-fold. Hypothyroidism did not significantly alter THRP or its mRNA in either young or aged rats. It is concluded that aging in rats is associated with reduced cerebral tissue responsiveness to thyroid hormones.
γ-Cleavage Is Dependent on ζ-Cleavage during the Proteolytic Processing of Amyloid Precursor Protein within Its Transmembrane Domain

beta-Amyloid precursor protein apparently undergoes at least three major cleavages, gamma-, epsilon-, and the newly identified zeta-cleavage, within its transmembrane domain to produce secreted beta-amyloid protein (Abeta). However, the roles of epsilon- and zeta-cleavages in the formation of secreted Abeta and the relationship among these three cleavages, namely epsilon-, zeta-, and gamma-cleavages, remain elusive. We investigated these issues by attempting to determine the formation and turnover of the intermediate products generated by these cleavages, in the presence or absence of known gamma-secretase inhibitors. By using a differential inhibition strategy, our data demonstrate that Abeta(46) is an intermediate precursor of secreted Abeta. Our co-immunoprecipitation data also reveal that, as an intermediate, Abeta(46) is tightly associated with presenilin in intact cells. Furthermore, we identified a long Abeta species that is most likely the long sought after intermediate product, Abeta(49), generated by epsilon-cleavage, and this Abeta(49) is further processed by zeta- and gamma-cleavages to generate Abeta(46) and ultimately the secreted Abeta(40/42). More interestingly, our data demonstrate that gamma-cleavage not only occurs last but also depends on zeta-cleavage occurring prior to it, indicating that zeta-cleavage is crucial for the formation of secreted Abeta. Thus, we conclude that the C terminus of secreted Abeta is most likely generated by a series of sequential cleavages, namely first epsilon-cleavage which is then followed by zeta- and gamma-cleavages, and that Abeta(46) produced by zeta-cleavage is the precursor of secreted Abeta(40/42).
Sub-Tg thermal properties of amorphous waxy starch and its derivatives

Abstract The sub- T g thermal properties of aged amorphous waxy starch, β-limit dextrin, and amylopectin triacetate at low moisture contents were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). When T g was above 50°C (∼5–14% moisture), a 50°C endothermic peak was observed in waxy starch and β-limit dextrin samples. The ΔH of the 50°C peak was proportional to the moisture content. At a similar moisture content the ΔH of β-limit dextrin was greater than that of waxy starch. No 50°C peak was observed in the amylopectin triacetate samples at the moisture contents studied (∼0·5-5% moisture). All amylopectin triacetate samples showed an endothermic overshoot associated with the glass transition. It is suggested that water-hydroxyl group interactions may be required for the formation of the sub- T g peak. The 50°C endotherm is a separate event different from the aging peak associated with the glass transition seen in many polymers.
Foreword: Selected Functionalized/Surface Modified Membrane-Related Presentations from the North American Membrane Society 2007 Annual Meeting

At a fundamental level, advances have been made in membrane materials and characterization of membrane surfaces. A range of materials are available for the fabrication of membranes. Recent advances...
Induced hydrogen ion transport in lipid membranes as origin of toxic effect of pentachlorophenol in an alga

Abstract Pentachlorophenol (PCP) decreases the rate of carbon assimilation in the alga Selenastrum capricornutum . In parallel with the reduction of carbon assimilation in this alga there is a decrease of electrical resistance of lipid membranes and development of negative membrane surface charge. The experimental results suggest that PCP toxicity to algae is due to adsorption of negatively charged PCP ions at the membrane surface that act as carriers of hydrogen ion across the membrane. This protonophoretic action of PCP causes the decrease of membrane electrical resistance and the dissipation of hydrogen ion electrochemical potential gradients across cellular and subcellular membranes, which reduces the ability of algae to assimilate carbon.
SET Mechanism in the Functionalization of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes†

Dispersions of carbon nanotube salts prepared by treating single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with lithium in liquid ammonia react with aryl and alkyl sulfides by single electron transfer (SET) to yield transient radical anions that dissociate into carbon-centered free radicals and mercaptide. The free radicals add to the sidewalls of the nanotubes or recombine with SWNT radical anions. AFM images indicate that the derivatized SWNTs are partially debundled. Disulfides react with carbon nanotube salts to yield SWNTs functionalized by sulfur-centered radicals.
Making sense of revolutionary change: differences in members’ stories

Members of an organization that had undergone revolutionary, punctuated equilibrium type change were asked to tell the story of that change. Senior managers tended to make sense of the change as discontinuous, while individual contributors tended to make sense of the change as incremental. Three theories of individual sense‐making; individual agency, personal relevance, and strategic perspective are developed to suggest why individuals made sense of these changes differently.
Rapid monitoring of changes in water diffusion coefficients during reversible ischemia in cat and rat brain

Changes in the diffusion constant of water during reversible brain ischemia and cardiac arrest were monitored with a 10-s time resolution. Results (five cats, three rats) indicate that these changes are reversible and that the bulk of the changes are not caused by temperature or motion related to brain pulsations and blood flow. The rapid time course of the changes corresponds to the known time course for changes in energy state, signal transduction, and ionic homeostasis.
Optimal speeds for walking and running, and walking on a moving walkway

Many aspects of steady human locomotion are thought to be constrained by a tendency to minimize the expenditure of metabolic cost. This paper has three parts related to the theme of energetic optimality: (1) a brief review of energetic optimality in legged locomotion, (2) an examination of the notion of optimal locomotion speed, and (3) an analysis of walking on moving walkways, such as those found in some airports. First, I describe two possible connotations of the term “optimal locomotion speed:” that which minimizes the total metabolic cost per unit distance and that which minimizes the net cost per unit distance (total minus resting cost). Minimizing the total cost per distance gives the maximum range speed and is a much better predictor of the speeds at which people and horses prefer to walk naturally. Minimizing the net cost per distance is equivalent to minimizing the total daily energy intake given an idealized modern lifestyle that requires one to walk a given distance every day—but it is not a good predictor of animals’ walking speeds. Next, I critique the notion that there is no energy-optimal speed for running, making use of some recent experiments and a review of past literature. Finally, I consider the problem of predicting the speeds at which people walk on moving walkways—such as those found in some airports. I present two substantially different theories to make predictions. The first theory, minimizing total energy per distance, predicts that for a range of low walkway speeds, the optimal absolute speed of travel will be greater—but the speed relative to the walkway smaller—than the optimal walking speed on stationary ground. At higher walkway speeds, this theory predicts that the person will stand still. The second theory is based on the assumption that the human optimally reconciles the sensory conflict between the forward speed that the eye sees and the walking speed that the legs feel and tries to equate the best estimate of the forward speed to the naturally preferred speed. This sensory conflict theory also predicts that people would walk slower than usual relative to the walkway yet move faster than usual relative to the ground. These predictions agree qualitatively with available experimental observations, but there are quantitative differences.
Role of thrombin in tumor angiogenesis, implantation, and metastasis.

Most tumors have constitutively active tissue factor on their surface, capable of generating thrombin into the surrounding environment. The role of thrombin in tumor growth and metastasis is well documented. Thrombin induces a malignant phenotype by enhancing tissue adhesion and cell growth in vitro and in vivo in mice. Thrombin binds to tumor cells making them 2–3 fold more adhesive to platelets, fibronectin, von Willebrand factor and microvascular endothelium. Thrombin-treated tumor cells have 2 fold increased growth in vitro. In vivo, thrombintreated tumor cells enhance subcutaneous tumor cell growth 18 fold and experimental pulmonary metastasis (tumor volume) 10–156 fold following ligation of their PAR-1 receptor (after 17–21 days of implantation), respectively. This review focuses on two areas of the thrombininduced malignant phenotype. (1) The role of thrombin in tumor-associated angiogenesis; (2) The role of thrombin in tumor implantation and seeding.
Mechanisms of central endothelin-induced hypotension.

The aims of the present study were i) to determine the type of endothelin receptor(s) mediating the hypotension produced by central administration of endothelin-1 (ET-1), ii) to delineate the hemodynamic factors contributing to this hypotension and iii) to differentiate between the neural and cerebrovascular actions of ET-1. Towards these objectives, we monitoreal blood flow from the choroid plexus of the IVth cerebral ventricle (4CV) as an index of local cerebral blood flow (CBF); also, aortic blood flow (ABF) and cutaneous microvascular blood flow (CMF) of the hindpaw were monitored.
CGI: a new approach for prioritizing genes by combining gene expression and protein--protein interaction data

Motivation: Identifying candidate genes associated with a given phenotype or trait is an important problem in biological and biomedical studies. Prioritizing genes based on the accumulated information from several data sources is of fundamental importance. Several integrative methods have been developed when a set of candidate genes for the phenotype is available. However, how to prioritize genes for phenotypes when no candidates are available is still a challenging problem. Results: We develop a new method for prioritizing genes associated with a phenotype by Combining Gene expression and protein Interaction data (CGI). The method is applied to yeast gene expression data sets in combination with protein interaction data sets of varying reliability. We found that our method outperforms the intuitive prioritizing method of using either gene expression data or protein interaction data only and a recent gene ranking algorithm GeneRank. We then apply our method to prioritize genes for Alzheimer's disease. Availability: The code in this paper is available upon request. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary data: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
PUZZLING OVER THE ANATOMY OF CRISES: Liquidity and the Veil of Finance

The paper claims that conventional monetary theory obliterates the central role played by media of exchange in the workings and instability of capitalist economies; and that a significant part of the financial system depends on the resiliency of paper currency and liquid assets that have been built on top of it. The resilience of the resulting financial tree is questionable if regulators are not there to adequately trim its branches to keep it from toppling by its own weight or minor wind gusts. The issues raised in the paper are not entirely new but have been ignored in conventional theory. This is very strange because disregard for these key issues has lasted for more than half a century. Are we destined to keep on making the same mistake? The paper argues that a way to prevent that is to understand its roots, and traces them to the Keynes/Hicks tradition. In addition, the paper presents a narrative and some empirical evidence suggesting a key channel from Liquidity Crunch to Sudden Stop, which supports the view that liquidity/credit shocks have been a central factor in recent crises. In addition, the paper claims that liquidity considerations help to explain (a) why a credit boom may precede financial crisis, (b) why capital inflows grow in the run-up of balance-of-payments crises, and (3) why gross flows are pro- cyclical.
Gravity Currents: In the Environment and the Laboratory, Ellis Horwood Series in Environmental Sciences

There are books and courses on experimental physics, thorough and rigorous, which contain only simple formulae and use only elementary algebra. The subject is explained in lucid and precise language, with the help of many sketches, photos, and diagrams. The book under review belongs to this genre and is in fact one of its most successful members. About half of the book is devoted to the description of a variety of natural phenomena in which gravity currents play an important role. The class of gravity currents is taken to be quite broad, to include almost any kind of quasi-horizontal motion caused by density differences. The range of natural phenomena surveyed is correspondingly great, from tidal bores through thunderstorms to the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The atmospheric examples are especially thorough and interesting. The broad panorama certainly brings home to the reader the many ways in which fluids (including fluidized rock) can move under the influence of gravity. However, not all of the examples show typical gravity behavior, nor are they all treated with equal thoroughness. The Gulf Stream is mentioned, and the variability of its position is shown in an illustration, but this is not connected with anything typical of gravity currents, nor is the important interplay between Earth rotation and such large-scale “gravity currents” (if one insists on calling them that) at all adequately explained.
Birthplace as a Risk Factor in Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson's Disease

A proportional mortality study was conducted to determine if state of birth is a risk factor associated with motor neurone disease (MND) and Parkinson's disease (PD) using US death certificate information for 1981. State of birth was used as a surrogate variable for location of early childhood environment. A gradient of risk by geographical area in the US was found for MND and PD. Cerebral vascular accident (CVA) deaths served as a comparison group. Multiple sclerosis (MS) deaths were analysed to validate the methods used. A geographical relationship between latitude proportional mortality ratios for MND, PD and MS by state of birth, and a geographical relationship between latitude and proportional mortality ratios for MND and MS by state of birth were found. Statistical modelling was used to compare the deaths from MND, PD, MS, CVA to all other deaths in the US by state of birth. The resulting models were evaluated to determine if any individual states were not well represented by the model for each disease. As predicted, no pattern was evident for CVA. The geographical gradient observed for MS was as predicted by other studies. The geographical pattern found for MND has a northwest to southeast gradient and the pattern found for PD has a west to east gradient.
Processes Influencing the Duration and Decline of Epizootics in Schistocephalus solidus

Abstract The interplay of intermediate host fish and plerocercoids of diphyllobothriidean cestodes results in epizootics that are deceptively simple, but conceal complex biotic and abiotic interactions shaping each event independently. Although general descriptions of epizootics and some details of biotic interactions between enemies are known, much remains to be discovered about the abiotic and biotic forces and their interactions driving epizootics. This study shows that the duration of an epizootic of Schistocephalus solidus was sustained by high prevalence, mean intensity, and PI (parasite index—parasite∶host biomass ratio) levels among young-of-the-year and 1-yr-old threespine sticklebacks. Many infections and most parasite growth in young-of-the-year fish apparently occurred under the ice during the winter. Few new infections appear to have occurred among 1-yr-old fish, which may live 2 yr and sometimes 3 yr. The decline of the epizootic occurred as the recruitment of 1 to 2-yr-old hosts decreased s...
Giraffe social behaviour

Many features recommend the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) for behavioural study: it is big, abundant, conspicuous, active by day, reasonably trusting of people, deliberate, and the best self-marked animal in existence. Surprisingly, its social behaviour has been largely neglected. We studied giraffe exclusively for the following periods: February–March, 1975 and January–December, 1977 in the Serengeti National Park, July 1979–June 1980 in the Arusha National Park, and January–October, 1981 in the Tarangire National Park, totalling 3264 hours of observation directed principally to social behaviour. All of these parks are in northern Tanzania. An earlier paper (Pratt and Anderson 1979) presented the results of a year's investigation of giraffe cow-calf relationships in the Serengeti National Park. That study demonstrated the strength of the cow-calf bond in agreement with the findings of Langman (1977) and described in quantitative fashion the behavioural patterns and interactions of mother and young, es...