cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disulfiram inhibits the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of the novel breast cancer associated gene BCA2 and the growth of BCA2 expressing breast cancer cell lines.

5513 The RING-finger family of proteins possesses ubiquitin ligase activity and plays a pivotal role in protein degradation and receptor mediated endocytosis. We have recently reported that BCA2 , a gene isolated from invasive breast cancer cells, is a novel monomeric RING-finger ubiquitin E3 ligase, which binds to the GTPase Rab7. We found that BCA2 is overexpressed in 56 % of invasive breast cancers (530/945 cases) and that its expression is correlated with a positive estrogen receptor status (p = 0.004). Furthermore, overexpression of BCA2 in NIH3T3 fibroblasts enhanced cell proliferation, whereas BCA2-siRNA treatment of MCF-7 and T47D cells, which express endogenous BCA2, inhibited cell proliferation and invasive growth. These findings suggested to us that the BCA2 ubiquitin ligase represents an important target for mechanism-based drug development. In this study, we examined whether targeting the RING-finger domain of BCA2 would lead to inhibition of the E3 ligase activity and growth of BCA2 expressing breast cancer cell lines. To examine the structural requirements for BCA2 activity and for small molecule protein inhibitors, we generated wild type and mutant BCA2 proteins in E. coli as well as mammalian expression vector constructs and tested their activity in the ubiquitination assay. We found that mutation of the Zn 2+ -complexing cysteine residues in the RING-H2 domain of BCA2 completely abolished its autoubiquitination activity in recombinant and exogenously expressed proteins. We therefore tested the broad spectrum zinc ejecting compound disulfiram (NSC25953) and the HIVI nucleocapsid p7 zinc finger specific agent NSC667089 (negative control) in in vitro ubiquitination reactions at concentrations ranging from 1–50 μM. Disulfiram produced a total inhibition of BCA2 ubiquitination at 1 μM, whereas NSC667089 had no effects even at 50 μM. The latter results were mirrored in MTT proliferation assays using the estrogen receptor positive, BCA2 expressing breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D. Disulfiram caused total growth inhibition (TGI) at concentrations of 1 μM, but NSC667089 was not able to inhibit growth even at 50 μM. In addition, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which are estrogen receptor negative and have no detectable BCA2, were insensitive to disulfiram (TGI = 50 μM). Our data indicate that BCA2 is important for growth of breast cancer cells and that it might be possible to develop specific inhibitors of the BCA2 ubiquitin E3 ligase activity based on disulfiram. Moreover, BCA2 E3 ligase inhibitors could provide a novel approach for the treatment of breast cancer.
Deconstructing a Computer-Based Tutor: Striving for Better Learning Efficiency in Stat Lady

This paper is a prospective report of an ongoing design project involving a computer-based tutoring system called Stat Lady (Shute & Gluck, 1994). Previous studies have shown considerable improvement on curriculum objectives as a result of interation with the tutor. The goal now is to try to improve on learning efficiency, defined as knowledge gain per unit of time. The question we will be asking in this study is: What can we peel away from the tutor to make it a more efficient teaching tool, without having a negative impact on curriculum learning? Additionally, as we remove pieces of the tutor, what effect (if any) will that have on the subjective enjoyment of the learning experience? The study in progress investigates these issues in a 2×2 factorial design varying the presence or absence of contextualized instruction and problem solving across the presence or absence of certain interface features that were an integral part of the original tutor.
Use of electroporation to construct isogenic mutants of Haemophilus ducreyi.

Little is known about the genetics of Haemophilus ducreyi, the etiologic agent of chancroid. To develop a method for constructing isogenic mutants of this organism that could be utilized in pathogenesis-related studies, electroporation techniques were evaluated as a means of introducing DNA into this organism. Electroporation of the plasmid shuttle vector pLS88 into H. ducreyi yielded approximately 10(6) antibiotic-resistant transformants per microgram of plasmid DNA. Studies of the feasibility of moving mutated genes into H. ducreyi were initiated by using NotI linker insertion and mini-Tn10kan mutagenesis techniques to introduce insertion mutations into cloned H. ducreyi genes encoding cell envelope antigens. In the former case, a gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase was then inserted into the NotI linker site created in the cloned H. ducreyi gene. The recombinant Escherichia coli strains containing these mutated plasmids no longer expressed the homologous H. ducreyi cell envelope antigens, as evidenced by their lack of reactivity with monoclonal antibody probes for these H. ducreyi proteins. Subsequent electroporation of both circular and linearized forms of plasmids carrying these mutated H. ducreyi genes into the homologous wild-type strain of H. ducreyi yielded antibiotic-resistant transformants which also lacked reactivity with the cell envelope antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies. Southern blot analysis confirmed that homologous recombination had occurred in these monoclonal antibody-unreactive transformants, resulting in the replacement of the wild-type allele with the mutated allele. Allelic exchange was most efficient when linear DNA molecules were used for electroporation. These results indicate that electroporation methods can be utilized to construct isogenic mutants of H. ducreyi. Images
Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain? The Effects of IMF Economic Reform Programs on Public Health Performance†

Objectives In this study, we evaluate the effects of the International Monetary Fund's structural adjustment programs (SAPs) on the public health performance of countries. We test the claim made by proponents of SAPs that although these programs may produce short-term hardship for the countries adopting them, they will generate positive developmental effects in the long term. Methods Our study draws on a global data set and employs a model that takes into account the potential for selection bias in the adoption of SAPs by states. Results The central finding of the article is that SAPs in the short term raise the exposure of populations to conditions that increase incidences of disability and death. Contrary to the assertions made by the advocates of SAPs, we also find evidence that these programs have attenuated but still harmful effect on public health performance in the long term. Conclusions This study highlights the negative influences of SAPs on public health and suggests that a need exists to reevaluate the claims that have been made regarding the developmental effects of these programs.
Risk‐Seeking Peasants, Excessive Artisans: Speculation in the Northern Andes

Thomas Friedman (referencing Harvard economist Lawrence Katz) declared that the economic future for the United States meant that “everyone today has to be an artisan” (The New York Times, October 23, 2010). But what does it mean to be an artisan in a globalized world? This article suggests that artisan economies may involve high levels of risk and excess, frustrating the search for economic justice and more equitable opportunities. Fieldwork with peasant agriculturists in southwestern Colombia and textile artisans in northern Ecuador challenges the stereotypes of conservative, risk-averse peasants or of traditional, low-output artisans. Rather, risk-maximization and excessive behavior is widespread, and may be vital for maintaining the system. The chance at windfall profits encourages small-scale production, making it seem worth persevering through adverse conditions. At times when traditional calculations of toil and expenditure make agriculture or artisanry seem like wasted effort, excessive display of winnings can provide motivation to continue. In booms and busts in the northern Andes, peasants and artisans have built an infrastructure of excess: overbuilt streetscapes, overcapacity in workshops, lost economic diversity, and production shifted to niche markets. To participate in a global economy, this is the meaning of “everyone today has to be an artisan.”
An Introduction to Distraction Osteogenesis and the Principles of the Ilizarov Method

The history of the development of distraction osteogenesis and the principles governing the clinical application of the Ilizarov method are reviewed.
Visibility of interference fringes near the resolution limit

The contrast sensitivity of the visual system to interference fringes has been measured in the range from 10 to 65 cycles/deg with a forced-choice psychophysical procedure. Masking produced by the spatial-noise characteristic of coherent fields was avoided by diluting the interferometric field with a fixed amount of uniform, incoherent light. The loss of contrast sensitivity between 10 and 60 cycles/deg ranged from 0.85 to 1.5 log units depending on the observer. Despite these individual differences, the mean contrast sensitivity for six observers at 60 cycles/deg was more than a factor of 8 higher than the most sensitive previous estimates, suggesting that the neural visual system is much more sensitive to fine detail than previously believed. The most sensitive observer required only 4% contrast to detect a 60-cycle/deg interference fringe. Even the shallow interferometric contrast-sensitivity functions reported here are too steep to be explained solely by scattered light at the retina. It is argued that the optical properties of the photoreceptor mosaic make a negligible contribution to the contrast-sensitivity loss between 0 and 60 cycles/deg, and neural factors must be implicated.
Altered olfactory acuity in the morbidly obese.

Background: Obese individuals have been reported to have a heightened desire for and ability to identify sweets when compared with leaner persons. Smell, like taste, may also be altered in obese persons compared with leaner subjects. This study was designed to determine if the sense of smell is different between morbidly obese and moderately obese individuals. Methods: 101 adult volunteers undergoing preoperative evaluation completed the 12-item Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT) before surgical intervention. Age, BMI, and smoking history were also obtained. Results: 101 subjects completed the preoperative CC-SIT (87 female, 14 male). Mean age of the subjects was 40 ± 12 years. Mean BMI was 42.5 ± 12.5 kg/m2. 46 subjects (46%) had a BMI >45. 21 were smokers (21%). 9 subjects (9%), all female non-smokers, had a CC-SIT score representing olfactory dysfunction. Subjects with BMI >45 were more likely to have olfactory dysfunction than subjects with BMI <45 (16% vs 4%, P <0.05). Conclusion: Morbidly obese individuals are more likely than moderately obese individuals to demonstrate CC-SIT scores consistent with olfactory dysfunction. The reason for this is unclear but is probably related to metabolic changes occurring in morbidly obese individuals.
Authentication via Ambassadors: A Novel Authentication Mechanism in MANETs

The reputation bootstrap problem is a significant issue for mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). We present a novel mechanism, Authentication Via Ambassadors, which authenticates mobile nodes based on their "social relationship". One commonly-trusted node is elected as the cluster head in each region. Ambassadors, which are moving nodes trusted by the cluster head, are selected and dispatched according to several different criteria to represent the region and perform authentication. A node that anticipates moving into a remote region can search and find an ambassador of that region, and take authentication to obtain a more precise initial reputation in the remote region. Therefore, the trust convergence time is reduced, and many attacks that threat the reputation systems for MANETs are avoided.
Famous women orators: An opinion survey

This essay compares the results of an opinion survey concerning famous women speakers in America and abroad with a similar survey conducted in 1967. Students of public address now identify more women speakers and take cognizance of the greater diversity of issues, types of discourse, and time‐periods.
Sorption of tetracycline and chlortetracycline on K- and Ca-saturated soil clays, humic substances, and clay-humic complexes.

Tetracycline (TC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) are used extensively for growth promotion and therapeutic purposes in livestock production. The sorption of TC and CTC on clays, humic substances (HS), and clay−humic complexes (clay−HC) derived from two agricultural soils was quantified using dilute CaCl2 (Ca) and KCl (K) as background solutions. In all systems, the soil components sorbed >96% of added tetracyclines. Strongest sorption was observed for clays, followed by HS, and then clay−HC. Greater sorption by the Ca systems than the K systems and decreased sorption with increasing pH suggests that cation bridging and cation exchange contribute to sorption. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that TC and CTC were sorbed in the interlayers of smectites and that the presence of HS reduced interlayer sorption of tetracyclines by smectites in clay−HC. The results indicate that tetracyclines are dominantly sorbed on soil clays and that HS in clay−HC either mask sorption sites on clay surfaces or inhibit interlayer...
Use of Airborne Monopulse Radar as a Low Approach Aid

The potential of airborne radar to provide pictorial displays as an aid to low approach has stimulated invention of several aircraft approach systems. Early developments are reviewed briefly, and an experiment in producing and flight testing a two-dimensional, range and azimuth, pictorial radar display is described. The monopulse radar equipment and a monopulse display improvement (MDI) technique used in the flight test to enhance the B-scope display are also described in some detail. Representative radar scope photographs are used to illustrate the display available in the aircraft.
High‐Resolution Measurements of 35Cl and D Quadrupole Coupling in CH2DCl and CD3Cl

Hyperfine structure on J=1→ 0 transitions in CH2D35Cl and CD335Cl was observed with a molecular‐beam maser spectrometer. Splittings arising from deuteron quadrupole coupling were completely resolved for some transitions and partially resolved in others. The 35Cl quadrupole coupling along the C–Cl bond direction was eqzzQ=74 687.3± 0.5 kHz for CH2DCl and eqzzQ=74 573.1± 0.5 kHz for CD3Cl. This is a difference of 0.15% for the 35Cl quadrupole coupling in the C–Cl bond direction. The average deuterium quadrupole coupling strength was eqzzQ=170.8± 6.0 kHz. Calculation of hyperfine structure due to four quadrupole nuclei, three of which are equivalent, is discussed.
The effect of cryopreservation on parathyroid cell viability and function

BACKGROUND: Higher failure rates have been reported with cryopreserved versus fresh parathyroid autografts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cryopreservation on live cell yield and to determine if freezing tissue as dispersed cells could improve functional outcome. METHODS: Live cell yield and cytosolic calcium (Ca i ) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) responses to extracellular calcium were investigated prior to and after 1 to 52 weeks of cryopreservation of bovine parathyroid tissue fragments (group I) or dispersed cells (group II). Tissue was frozen using a liquid nitrogen freezer. RESULTS: A 70% to 90% reduction in live cell yield was observed in groups I and II (P > 0.05), and this was unrelated to duration of cryopreservation. Cytosolic calcium and PTH responses to extracellular calcium in group I were similar to controls. In group II, transient Ca i responses were abolished, steady-state Ca i responses were blunted (P < 0.05), and PTH secretion was higher than in controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation decreases live cell yield independent of length of storage. Freezing dispersed parathyroid cells produces functional abnormalities in Ca i and PTH regulation. Maximizing the amount of tissue for cryopreservation may improve the yield of live cells and the success rate of cryopreserved parathyroid autografts.
Using ESAP software for predicting the spatial distributions of NDVI and transpiration of cotton.

Observations of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from aerial imagery can be used to infer the spatial variability of basal crop coefficients (Kcb), which in turn provide a means to estimate variable crop water use within irrigated fields. However, monitoring spatial Kcb at sufficient temporal resolution using only aerial acquisitions would likely not be cost-effective for growers. In this study, we evaluated a model-based sampling approach, ESAP (ECe Sampling, Assessment, and Prediction), aimed at reducing the number of seasonal aerial images needed for reliable Kcb monitoring. Aerial imagery of NDVI was acquired over an experimental cotton field having two treatments of irrigation scheduling, three plant density levels, and two N levels. During both 2002 and 2003, ESAP software used input imagery of NDVI on three separate dates to select three ground sampling designs having 6, 12, and 20 sampling locations. On three subsequent dates during both the years, NDVI data obtained at the design locations were then used to predict the spatial distribution of NDVI for the entire field. Regression of predicted versus imagery observed NDVI resulted in r2 values from 0.48 to 0.75 over the six dates, where higher r2 values occurred for predictions made near full cotton cover than those made at partial cover. Prediction results for NDVI were generally similar for all three sample designs. Cumulative transpiration (Tr) for periods from 14 to 28 days was calculated for treatment plots using Kcb values estimated from NDVI. Estimated cumulative Tr using either observed NDVI from imagery or predicted NDVI from ESAP procedures compared favorably with measured cumulative Tr determined from soil water balance measurements for each treatment plot. Except during late season cotton senescence, errors in estimated cumulative Tr were between 3.0% and 7.3% using observed NDVI, whereas they were they were between 3.4% and 8.8% using ESAP-predicted NDVI with the 12 sample design. Thus, employing a few seasonal aerial acquisitions made in conjunction with NDVI measurements at 20 or less ground locations optimally determined using ESAP, could provide a cost-effective method for reliably estimating the spatial distribution of crop water use, thereby improving cotton irrigation scheduling and management.
Parameterization dependence of T matrix poles and eigenphases from a fit to $\pi$N elastic scattering data

We compare fits to piN elastic scattering data, based on a Chew-Mandelstam K-matrix formalism. Resonances, characterized by T-matrix poles, are compared in fits generated with and without explicit Chew-Mandelstam K-matrix poles. Diagonalization of the S matrix yields the eigenphase representation. While the eigenphases can vary significantly for the different parameterizations, the locations of most T-matrix poles are relatively stable.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor modulates angiotensin signaling in the hypothalamus to increase blood pressure in rats

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression increases in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in response to hypertensive stimuli including stress and hyperosmolarity. Howe...
Study of bone ablation dynamics with sequenced pulses

The dynamics of the ablation process was investigated in bone using two pulses separated by a variable time delay. In one experiment two sub- threshold 7.5 nsec duration pulses at (lambda) equals 355 nm with pulse separation ranging between 1 ns and 100 msec were used to ablate bone. Crater depths remained approximately constant for pulse separations up to approximately equals 100 nsec, then decreased monotonically in time to zero at 10 msec pulse separation. In another experiment the second pulse was replaced by a 7.5 nsec duration pulse at (lambda) equals 532 nm. The combination of sub-threshold pulses at two different wavelengths also ablated bone with a cutting quality matching that of the more strongly absorbed (lambda) equals 355 nm wavelength. Crater depths from dual wavelength ablation increased with increasing fluence in either contributing pulse. Practical consequences of these experiments are discussed.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Simulated flight, muscle genetics, and inflammatory indicators in mice.

INTRODUCTION Skeletal muscle discomfort commonly occurs during long-distance air travel. Although the effects of high altitude on muscle have been well-studied, the effects of short-term exposure to the altitude at which aircraft cabins are pressurized, 2438 m, have not. The primary aim of this study was to examine global gene expression in the gastrocnemius muscle after simulated flight. Inflammatory indicators were also assessed in the muscle. METHODS Thirty-five mice were evenly exposed to normobaria or hypobaria (2438 m) for -8-9 h. Microarray and ribonucleic acid (RNA) analyses were performed. Additionally, macrophage and neutrophil presence was examined. RESULTS Fourteen genes were downregulated in females after hypobaria. These genes included those related to epithelial homeostasis, such as the keratins, and genes activated by cellular insult. In contrast, four noncoding, regulatory RNAs were upregulated in males. No difference in proinflammatory cytokine gene and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was detected between normobaria and hypobaria. The mean number of CD68-positive leukocytes per mm2 and mean area percentage of the CD68 antigen in muscle of normobaric (NB) and hypobaric (HB) mice were 53-54 and -0.2%, respectively. DISCUSSION Simulated flight does not activate a proinflammatory response in healthy muscle. However, epithelial and cellular defense genes may be downregulated in females, whereas regulatory RNAs may be upregulated in males.
Techniques for Warming Red Blood Cells Packaged in Different Containers for Neonatal Use

Essential to the management of the sick, low birth weight infant is maintenance of a neutral thermal environment by use of convection incubators and radiant warmers. Manipulation of the infant in preparation for transfusion and the transfusion of cold blood could theoretically lower the infant's body temperature, subsequently contribute to cold stress, and concomitantly increase metabolic demands and oxygen requirements. The authors evaluated different pretransfusion ma nipulations of syringe aliquots and bags of blood in an effort to provide a clinically acceptable product for transfusion to sick, very low birth weight infants.
The frequency of Pig‐a mutant red blood cells in rats exposed in utero to N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea

The Pig-a assay has been developed as a rapid sensitive measure of gene mutation in adult rats; however, no data exist on its ability to detect mutation following in utero exposures or in neonatal animals. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily on gestational days 12–18 with oral doses of 0, 6, or 12 mg/kg/day N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU); following parturition, the offspring and dams were monitored over a period of 5 months for the frequency of CD59-deficient erythrocytes as a marker of Pig-a mutation. Significant dose-related increases in Pig-a mutant red blood cells (RBCs) were observed in ENU-treated dams. However, only very weak increases in RBC Pig-a mutant frequency (MF) were noted in offspring treated in utero with the lower ENU dose. The higher ENU dose produced extremely variable responses in the offspring as a function of age, even among littermates, ranging from a steady low or moderately high Pig-a MF to a rapidly increasing or decreasing Pig-a MF. The manifestation kinetics of Pig-a mutant RBCs in the offspring suggest that the change from predominantly hepatic to predominantly bone marrow erythropoiesis that occurs during early development may have contributed to this variability. Our results indicate that using the RBC Pig-a model for mutation detection in animals treated in utero may require analysis of multiple offspring from the same litter to account for potential “jack pot” effects, and that detection of the earliest treatment effect (i.e., in neonates using the hepatic RBC fraction) may require optimization of blood processing. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2012. Published 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accidentally Factive Mental States

Knowledge is standardly taken to be belief that is both true and justified (and perhaps meets other conditions as well). Timothy Williamson rejects the standard epistemology for its inability to solve the Gettier problem. the moral of this failure, he argues, is that knowledge does not factor into a combination that includes a mental state (belief) and an external condition (truth), but is itself a type of mental state. Knowledge is, according to his preferred account, the most general factive mental state. I argue, however, that Gettier cases pose a serious problem for Williamson's epistemology: in these cases, the subject may have a factive mental state that fails to be cognitive. Hence, knowledge cannot be the most general factive mental state.
Understanding anomalous current–voltage characteristics in microchannel–nanochannel interconnect devices

Abstract The integration of a microchannel with a nanochannel is known to exhibit anomalous nonlinear current–voltage characteristics. In this paper, we perform detailed numerical simulations considering a 2-D nonlinear ion transport model, to capture and explain the underlying physics behind the limiting resistance and the overlimiting current regions, observed predominantly in a highly ion-selective nanochannel. We attribute the overlimiting current characteristics to the redistribution of the space charges resulting in an anomalous enhancement in the ionic concentration of the electrolyte in the induced space charge region, beyond a critical voltage. The overlimiting current with constant conductivity is predicted even without considering the effects of fluidic nonlinearities. We extend our study and report anomalous rectification effects, resulting in an enhancement of current in the non-ohmic region, under the application of combined AC and DC electric fields. The necessary criteria to observe these enhancements and some useful scaling relations are discussed.
A time-evolution approach to intermolecular and thermodynamic potentials

Abstract A unified treatment is presented of the interaction potentials (intermolecular forces) and the thermodynamic potentials (free energy functions) of molecular fluids. The treatment is based on a time-evolution approach to equilibrium which traces the propagation of electrical and density fluctuations from the onset of the disturbance to the time equilibrium is fully established. The theory is specialized to a one-component, monatomic fluid interacting through generalized two-body inter-molecular potentials (to infinite order). By neglecting correlations between multiple excitations, a simple expression is obtained for the free energy in terms of the molecular-density susceptibility of the unperturbed fluid and the intermolecular potential. The latter is formulated in terms of the charge-density susceptibilities of the non-interacting molecules, and the static (Coulomb) potential. The theory takes account of translational quantum effects. It is shown that for a classical fluid the free energy is consistent with formulations obtained from standard statistical mechanics within RPA.
Purification, characterization and revised amino acid sequence of a second thioredoxin from Corynebacterium nephridii.

~EJB 88 0884 A second thioredoxin, distinct from the one reported by Meng and Hogenkamp in 1981 (J. Biol. Chem. 256, 9174 -9182), has been purified to homogeneity from an Escherichia coli strain containing a plasmid encoding a Corynebacterium nephridii thioredoxin. Thioredoxin genes from C. nephridii were cloned into the plasmid pUCl3 and transformants were identified by complementation of a thioredoxin negative (trxA -) E. coli strain. The abilities of the transformants to support the growth of several phages suggested that more than one thioredoxin had been expressed [Lim et al. (1987) J. Biof. Clzem. 262, 12 114- 12 1191. In this paper we present the purification and characterization of one of these thioredoxins. The new thioredoxin from C. nephridii, designated thioredoxin C-2, is a heat-stable protein containing three cysteine residues/molecule. It serves as a substrate for C. nephridii thioredoxin reductase and E. coli and Lactoharillus leichmannii ribonucleotide reductases. Thioredoxin C-2 catalyzes the reduction of insulin disulfides by dithiothreitol or by NADPH and thioredoxin reductase and is a hydrogen donor for the methionine sulfoxide reductase of E. coli. Spinach malate dehydrogenase (NADP’) and phosphoribulokinase are activated by this thioredoxin while glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP+) is not. Like the thioredoxin first isolated from C. twphridii, this new thioredoxin is not a reducing substrate for the C. nephridii ribonucleotide reductase. The complete primary sequence of this second thioredoxin has been determined. The amino acid sequence shows a high degree of similarity with other thioredoxins. Surprisingly, in contrast to the other sequences, this new thioredoxin contains the tetrapeptide -Cys-Ala-Pro-Cys- at the active site. With the exception of the T4 thioredoxin, this is the first example of a thioredoxin that does not have the sequence -Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys-. Our results suggest that, like plant cells, bacterial cells may utilize more than one thioredoxin.
Psicología Comunitaria: prácticas en Valparaíso y visión disciplinar de los académicos nacionales

Este trabajo analiza las caracteristicas de las practicas de intervencion y el desarrollo disciplinar de la Psicologia Comunitaria en el pais. El estudio se organizo a partir de los antecedentes aportados por distintas investigaciones que plantean la existencia de un desfase entre el marco disciplinar y las practicas de intervencion. La investigacion se llevo a cabo en una muestra de psicologos de la Provincia de Valparaiso (N=51), quienes respondieron a un cuestionario y luego una sub muestra (N= 5) que fueron entrevistados. Ademas, se aplico una entrevista abierta a 8 academicos nacionales de reconocida trayectoria en la disciplina. Los resultados confirmaron en su conjunto que los contenidos del desfase se han agudizado, priorizando por intervenciones individuales centradas en la mejora contingente de las condiciones de vida y salud mental de los participantes. El trabajo concluye que es necesario repensar los contenidos y objetivos de la disciplina en el contexto nacional para retomar el enfasis en la transformacion social que es consustancial a la disciplina.
Preparing for the Learning Organization.

This article explores ways to increase individuals' capacities to engage in the activities of a learning organization. A general education seminar is analyzed as a case example of teaching that follows William Perry's theory of intellectual and ethical development. First, the learning organization is defined. Second, organizational learning is linked to theories of individual learning. How the seminar was conducted is discussed, and the implications of the experience are explored in relation to management education. The article concludes with a plea for greater integration of general education objectives and management education objectives in light of efforts to change organizational behavior.
The Effect of Phytin on the Phosphorus Requirement of the Chick

Abstract THE phosphorus supplied in poultry rations by cereals, cereal by-products, soybeans, and other plant materials is largely in the form of phytic acid and its salts, collectively termed phytin. The utilization of this organically bound form of phosphorus is a question of considerable practical importance since phosphorus is one of the elements most likely to be deficient in unsupplemented rations. In some instances phytin is relied upon to supply a large portion of the total phosphorus requirement of chickens, although the weight of evidence indicates that it is less readily utilized than inorganic phosphates. Lowe, Steenbock, and Krieger (1939) supplemented a low phosphorus basal chick diet with phytin isolated from wheat bran and obtained no increase in calcification. These results were obtained, however, in the absence of supplementary vitamin D or in the presence of suboptimum amounts of this factor. Heuser, Norris, McGinnis, and Scott (1943) presented evidence that growth . . .
Randomised trial of monitoring, feedback, and management of care by telephone to improve treatment of depression in primary care

Abstract Objective: To test the effectiveness of two programmes to improve the treatment of acute depression in primary care. Design: Randomised trial. Setting: Primary care clinics in Seattle. Patients: 613 patients starting antidepressant treatment. Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to continued usual care or one of two interventions: feedback only and feedback plus care management. Feedback only comprised feedback and algorithm based recommendations to doctors on the basis of data from computerised records of pharmacy and visits. Feedback plus care management included systematic follow up by telephone, sophisticated treatment recommendations, and practice support by a care manager. Main outcome measures: Blinded interviews by telephone 3 and 6 months after the initial prescription included a 20 item depression scale from the Hopkins symptom checklist and the structured clinical interview for the current DSM-IV depression module. Visits, antidepressant prescriptions, and overall use of health care were assessed from computerised records. Results: Compared with usual care, feedback only had no significant effect on treatment received or patient outcomes. Patients receiving feedback plus care management had a higher probability of both receiving at least moderate doses of antidepressants (odds ratio 1.99, 95% confidence interval 1.23 to 3.22) and a 50% improvement in depression scores on the symptom checklist (2.22, 1.31 to 3.75), lower mean depression scores on the symptom checklist at follow up, and a lower probability of major depression at follow up (0.46, 0.24 to 0.86). The incremental cost of feedback plus care management was about $80 (£50) per patient. Conclusions: Monitoring and feedback to doctors yielded no significant benefits for patients in primary care starting antidepressant treatment. A programme of systematic follow up and care management by telephone, however, significantly improved outcomes at modest cost.
Assessment of the Effect of a Comprehensive Diabetes Management Program on Hospital Admission Rates of Children With Diabetes Mellitus

Admission records at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati were reviewed to determine the impact of a compre hensive diabetes management program on selected indicators of health status in children with diabetes mellitus. Two periods were compared: January 1973 through June 1978 (periodA), prior to institution of the program, and July 1978 through December 1987 (period B). Although the number of children admitted with a diagnosis of type I diabetes not associated with DKA or other diagnoses increased by 10 % during these 10 years, the number of children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) not associated with other diagnoses fell from 58% in period A to 24% in period B. Similarly, average length of stay for the reported DKA admissions decreased from a mean of 5.84 days in period A to a mean of 4. 62 days in period B. This reduction of 1.2 days saved an estimated $342,000 in hospi talization costs. These findings suggest that a comprehensive diabetes management program consisting of medical treatment...
Ignition and structure of a laminar diffusion flame in the field of a vortex

The distortion of flames in flows with vortical motion is examined via asymptotic analysis and numerical simulation. The model consists of a constant density, one step, irreversible Arrhenius reaction between initially unmixed species occupying adjacent half-planes which are then allowed to mix and react in the presence of a vortex. The evolution in time of the temperature and mass fraction fields is followed. Emphasis is placed on the ignition time and location as a function of vortex Reynolds number and initial temperature differences of the reacting species. The study brings out the influence of the vortex on the chemical reaction. In all phases, good agreement is observed between asymptotic analysis and the full numerical solution of the model equations.
Luminescence of ion pairs of alkali-metal cations with dichromate anion

Abstract Frozen aqueous solutions or dichromate salts possess a cation specific emission. This emission has been studied as a function of temperature, concentration, and pH. Competitive binding studies have been performed.
Characterization of carbohydrates in rainwater from the southeastern North Carolina

Carbohydrates have been widely reported in atmospheric aerosols, but have not previously been quantified in rainwater. We have identified and quantified a series of 11 specific compounds including monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, arabinose, galactose and pinitol), disaccharides (sucrose and trehalose), sugar alcohols (arabitol, dulcitol and mannitol) and the anhydrosaccharide levoglucosan. Rainwater analyzed in this study includes 52 distinct precipitation events in Wilmington, NC between June 2011 and October 2012. Our analysis indicates carbohydrates typically contribute <1% of total dissolved organic carbon in rain, but can account for as much as 10-35% during periods of high pollen or local fires. Concentrations of individual carbohydrates reached as high as 5.8 μM, with glucose and sucrose typically being the predominant species. The distribution of carbohydrates exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern, with higher concentrations of most carbohydrates, especially sucrose, in spring and summer, driven primarily by increased biogenic inputs during the growing season. Concentrations of carbohydrates were an order of magnitude higher in storms of terrestrial origin compared to marine events, further supporting a terrestrial biogenic origin of most species. Sequential sampling of Hurricane Irene showed significant quantities of carbohydrates present at the end of the storm when air mass back trajectories traversed over land. The highest level of levoglucosan, a compound associated with biomass burning, was detected in rain with an air mass back trajectory that traveled over a region affected by wildfires. When compared to aerosol concentrations reported by others, the sugar concentrations in rain demonstrate wet deposition is an important removal mechanism of this water-soluble and bioavailable fraction of atmospheric particulate organic matter.
Phase Separation in Polystyrene-Poly(vinyl methyl ether) Blends Dilated with Compressed Carbon Dioxide

The phase behavior of polystyrene (PS)/poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blends of various compositions in the presence of compressed carbon dioxide was investigated using in-situ high-pressure fluorescence spectroscopy. Sorption of a few weight percent of CO2, which is a poor solvent for both components but selective for PVME, induces phase separation at 40 and 60 °C for all compositions studied. These transitions occur as much as 90 °C below the coexistence temperatures for the corresponding binary blends at ambient pressure. The Sanchez−Lacombe equation of state qualitatively predicts phase separation in the PS/PVME/CO2 system as CO2 pressure is increased isothermally. A semiquantitative stability analysis suggests that a disparity in the free volumes of the polymer components upon dilation with carbon dioxide, rather than enthalpic contributions, is the principal driver for phase separation in this system.
A single unit analysis of trigeminal projections to bulbar reticular muclei of the rat

The lateral bulbar reticular formation of anesthetized rats was explored with microelectrodes in order to compare the response and field characteristics of its somatosensory cells with properties of units located in the adjacent spinal trigeminal complex. Responses were evoked in the cells using natural and electrical stimulation of the skin. Neurons in the reticular nuclei tended to exihibit long latencies, low folowing capacities and large receptive fields. On the other hand, trigeminal complex cells generally revealed opposite characteristics, more typical of primary sensory structures, such as short latencies, high following capacities and punctate-to-small fields. The distinction between the regions was emphasized by additional qualities which were peculiar to the reticular neurons: Bilateral peripheral representation, into very coarse mechnical stimulation. In amny respects, the data indicate that the lateral reticular formation is intimately involved in the mediation of facial pain. They also support the view that it participated in this function by regulating the flow of nocioceptive activity from receptive mechanisms of the skin to the lemniscal pathway.
Abdominal contamination, infection and sepsis: a continuum.

The evolving concept that the term infection does not mean sepsis, and that sepsis is one form of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) but that SIRS also includes non-infective causes, may appear complicated but was developed to simplify and explain matters. That some surgeons use the terms ‘infection’ and ‘sepsis’ interchangeably is evident in the literature where abdominal sepsis and wound sepsis seem to mean abdominal and wound infection respectively. It has been said that ‘changing terminology results from the evolution of patient care, and from attempts to clarify or better describe what is happening. . .’l. This has occurred in the past decade, during which an immense body of new data has increased understanding of the biological events that generate the SIRS, now a common denominator for sepsis, septic shock, organ dysfunction and, eventually, death in critically ill medical, surgical and severely traumatized patients2.
Experimental cooling during incubation leads to reduced innate immunity and body condition in nestling tree swallows

Nest microclimate can have strong effects that can carry over to later life-history stages. We experimentally cooled the nests of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Females incubating in cooled nests reduced incubation time and allowed egg temperatures to drop, leading to extended incubation periods. We partially cross-fostered nestlings to test carry-over effects of cooling during incubation on nestling innate constitutive immunity, assessed through bacteria killing ability (BKA) of blood. Nestlings that had been cooled as eggs showed a lower ability to kill bacteria than control nestlings, regardless of the treatment of their foster mother. However, there was no effect of treatment of rearing females on nestling BKA in control nestlings, even though cooled females made significantly fewer feeding visits than did control females. This suggests that the effect of cooling occurred during incubation and was not due to carry-over effects on nestling condition. Nestlings that were exposed to experimental cooling as embryos had lower residual body mass and absolute body mass at all four ages measured. Our results indicate that environmental conditions and trade-offs experienced during one stage of development can have important carry-over effects on later life-history stages.
Angular momentum partition as a function of the mass asymmetry in heavy-ion induced fission

Abstract Gamma ray multiplicities and angular distributions have been measured as functions of the mass asymmetry of the fission fragments for the reactions of 150–210 MeV 137 Cl beams with 107 Ag, and 150–210MeV 32 S beams with 112 Cd. In all reactions, as the mass asymmetry increases the mean total gamma ray multiplicities decreases, the relative width of the multiplicity increases and the gamma ray anisotropy decreases. Thus the more asymmetric the mass splitting, the smaller is the total spin of the fission fragments, and, probably, the total angular momentum of the compound system.
Refining molluscan characters: morphology, character coding and a phylogeny of the Caenogastropoda

Midgut morphology of gastropod molluscs has been underutilized as a resource of characters for phylogenetic analysis. The exclusion of these features reflects the inference that they will be uninformative in determining phylogenetic relationships because they are functionally correlated. In general, it has been hypothesized that the style sac form of midgut is an adaptation to microphagy and becomes secondarily simplified in taxa that have adopted a macrophagous/carnivorous habit with a corresponding increase in extracellular digestion (i.e. radular trituration, gizzards and/or foregut glands). This assumption has resulted in the formulation of adaptive scenarios concerning gastropod alimentary systems, which are mapped onto phylogenetic hypotheses derived from other characters. However, any conclusions regarding phylogenetic utility, and therefore homology, must be realized within a cladistic context. For this analysis, a multi-organ system anatomical data set was assembled for 16 caenogastropods and two outgroups. The data matrix comprises 64 characters and includes many systems poorly represented in previous broad-based comparative surveys, such as the alimentary and reno-pericardial systems. In addition, several taxa were included for which no comprehensive anatomical studies have been available (Cyclophoroidea, Ptenoglossa). Phylogenetic analysis with NONA 1.6 resulted in two most-parsimonious trees with length 188, CI = 0.53 and RI = 0.63, differing only in the placement of Prunum apicinum and Conus jaspideus. The topology of the strict consensus (Macleaniella Theodoxus((Neocyclotus Marisa)((Lampanella((Petaloconchus Strombus)(Crepidula Bithyia)))(Littorina(Neverita(Cypraea(Nitidiscala(Panarona(Prunum Conus(Ilyanassa Urosalpinx)))))))))), is largely congruent with several independent estimates based on both morphological and molecular data, supporting caenogastropod monophyly and monphyly of the Architaenioglossa, Sorbeoconcha and Neogastropoda. To evaluate phylogenetic utility of the midgut, a broad sampling of taxa was included representing a diversity of feeding modes, food preferences and alimentary morphologies. Character optimization revealed that the evolution of midgut structure is highly mosaic, cutting broadly across patterns of feeding, diet and foregut complexity, to a degree previously unappreciated. In addition, features from the foregut (subradular organ, oesophageal folding) and midgut (position of gastric shield) are broadly distributed among large clades of caenogastropods, providing critical basal synapomorphies within the group. This demonstrates that the gut is an unexploited resource for important and informative characters in higher order systematics of caenogastropods. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 137, 447–554.
Letter by McEvoy regarding article, "Pathogenesis of sudden unexpected death in a clinical trial of patients with myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, or both".

To the Editor: In an effort to explore the negative results of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) trials early after acute myocardial infarction (MI),1,2 Pouleur et al3 present the findings of a thought-provoking analysis from the VALsartan In Acute myocardial infarctioN Trial (VALIANT). Within this nonrandomized autopsy series of 398 patients, rates of recurrent MI/myocardial rupture were highest in the early post-MI period and declined with time among the 105 patients who were clinically adjudicated to have “circumstances of sudden unexpected death.” In contrast, the rates of presumed arrhythmic death increased in this group over time.3 The authors conclude that this may “explain …