cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Holistic Self-Management Education and Support: A Proposed Public Health Model for Improving Women's Health in Zimbabwe

The primary health care model of public health has been implemented in many countries around the globe since the Declaration of Alma Ata in 1978, without pilot testing the primary health care model. Therefore, many public health researchers have sought methods of improving primary health care by creating evidence-based models. Many of these researchers recognize the role of behavioral models in public health. These offshoots of primary health care include the ecological, care, central human capabilities, and the SPECIES models. Holistic self-management education and support is a capacity-building philosophy that ensures active involvement of consumers of health care in the planning and implementation and evaluation of health care services. It helps consumers of health care to achieve the desired improved quality of health and life in managing and sustaining their health at the grassroots level. The care model addresses disease management ideals of the in the original primary health care model. The SPECIES model addresses those aspects of the primary health care model that include the cultural and social factors, as well as individual health education and support in the original primary health care model. The ecological model offers an improvement of the socioeconomic ideal in the original primary health care model. Improving the health of individuals will prevent illness, thereby reducing health care costs and lessening the current strain on an overburdened health care system in Zimbabwe. Holistic self-management education and support links health care delivery systems with social processes. It is a best practices model that could better serve Zimbabwean girls and women by contributing positively to the national challenges in health care, thereby meeting the Zimbabwean primary health care and safe motherhood goals. It is here recommended that holistic self-management education and support must be pilot tested before being adopted as the most appropriate model for ensuring population health.
Traction force microscopy in rapidly moving cells reveals separate roles for ROCK and MLCK in the mechanics of retraction.

Abstract Retraction is a major rate-limiting step in cell motility, particularly in slow moving cell types that form large stable adhesions. Myosin II dependent contractile forces are thought to facilitate detachment by physically pulling up the rear edge. However, retraction can occur in the absence of myosin II activity in cell types that form small labile adhesions. To investigate the role of contractile force generation in retraction, we performed traction force microscopy during the movement of fish epithelial keratocytes. By correlating changes in local traction stress at the rear with the area retracted, we identified four distinct modes of retraction. “Recoil” retractions are preceded by a rise in local traction stress, while rear edge is temporarily stuck, followed by a sharp drop in traction stress upon detachment. This retraction type was most common in cells generating high average traction stress. In “pull” type retractions local traction stress and area retracted increase concomitantly. This was the predominant type of retraction in keratocytes and was observed mostly in cells generating low average traction stress. “Continuous” type retractions occur without any detectable change in traction stress, and are seen in cells generating low average traction stress. In contrast, to many other cell types, “release” type retractions occur in keratocytes following a decrease in local traction stress. Our identification of distinct modes of retraction suggests that contractile forces may play different roles in detachment that are related to rear adhesion strength. To determine how the regulation of contractility via MLCK or Rho kinase contributes to the mechanics of detachment, inhibitors were used to block or augment these pathways. Modulation of MLCK activity led to the most rapid change in local traction stress suggesting its importance in regulating attachment strength. Surprisingly, Rho kinase was not required for detachment, but was essential for localizing retraction to the rear. We suggest that in keratocytes MLCK and Rho kinase play distinct, complementary roles in the respective temporal and spatial control of rear detachment that is essential for maintaining rapid motility.
Federated search of text search engines in uncooperative environments

Conventional search engines like Google provide access to Web information that can be acquired easily by crawling hyperlinks. However, a large amount of information cannot be copied arbitrarily by conventional search engines. This type of hidden information, which is very valuable, can only be accessed via an alternative search model other than the centralized retrieval model used by conventional search engines.
Hop, skip... no! Explaining adolescent girls' disinclination for physical activity.

This study aimed to develop and validate the Girls’ Disinclination for Physical Activity Scale (G-DAS) and implement the scale along with an objective measure of physical activity (PA) in a longitudinal sample of adolescent girls. Participants were non-Hispanic White girls who were assessed at ages 13 years (n = 151) and 15 years (n = 98). Girls completed the G-DAS and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale and wore an accelerometer for 7 days. Results supported a five-factor solution for the G-DAS; factors represented reasons for disliking PA including low perceived competence, lack of opportunities, high perceived exertion, concern about physical appearance, and threats to girls’ gender identity. Data supported the reliability and validity of the G-DAS. Low perceived competence was the most common reason girls reported disliking PA and predicted a decreased likelihood of maintaining sufficient PA across ages 13 to 15 years. Developing PA-related skills prior to adolescence may reduce declines in adolescent girls’ PA.
Rat liver insulin mediator which stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase contains galactosamine and D-chiroinositol

It has been established that insulin treatment of cells, isolated plasma membranes, or whole animals leads to the generation of low molecular weight mediators which serve as intermediates in the signalling pathway. At least two distinct classes of mediator have been described, based on differences in apparent molecular weight, isoelectric point and biological activity (Cheng, K., and Larner, J. (1985) Ann. Rev. Physiol. 45, 407-424). Recently, Saltiel's (Saltiel, A.R., and Cuatrecasas, P. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 5793-5797) and Mato's (Mato, J.M., Kelly, K.L., Abler, A., and Jarett, L. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 2131-2137) laboratories have described an insulin "modulator" which was apparently derived from glycosylphosphoinositol linker, similar to those known to anchor proteins to the external surface of the cell membrane (Low, M.G. (1987) Bioch. J. 244, 1-13). In this paper, we report that highly purified preparations of the insulin mediator which stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase contain mannose, galactosamine, and D-chiroinositol. These determinations are based upon analyses using paper chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Nitrous acid deamination of the mediator resulted in release of inositol phosphate, indicating that the galactosamine and D-chiroinositol are linked. Although the presence of chiroinositol in modulator from H35 hepatoma cells has been recently reported (Mato, J.M., Kelly, K.L., Abler, A., Jarett, L., Corkey, B.E., Cashel, J.A., and Zopf, D. (1987) Bioch. Biophys. Res. Comm. 146, 764-770), the optical identity of the inositol remained unknown until the present report. Likewise, the presence of galactosamine rather than glucosamine in insulin mediator is a novel finding. These findings, coupled with those of Saltiel and Mato's groups, provide clear evidence for the existence of multiple forms of insulin mediators. Additionally, the results presented here afford further confirmation for the formation of insulin mediators from glycosyl-phosphoinositol linkers.
Places of socialization and (sub)ethnic identities among Asian immigrants in the US: evidence from the 2007 Chinese American Homeland Politics Survey

This research provides an empirical assessment of the relationship between places of socialization and ethnic self-identity preferences among Asian immigrants in the US from separate parts of a politically divided homeland. Does place of socialization influence the (sub)ethnic self-identity of Chinese Americans raised in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong? How do socialization context and transnational political concerns, among other factors, help structure the relationship? Benefiting from recent advancements in targeted ethnic sampling and telephone survey methodology, this paper examines results of the 2007 Chinese American Homeland Politics Survey to study the contour and sources of ethnic identity preferences among Chinese in the US from separate homeland origins. The usefulness of a theoretical framework that contrasts primordial ties with transnational political ties in understanding the structuring of identity preferences at the subethnic level is tested.
Timing Is Everything: Direct Measurement of Retinol Production in Cones and Rods

“In the last few years there has accumulated a considerable amount of new and highly precise data describing various visual functions.” – Selig [Hecht, 1937][1]. Vision research is one of the few subject areas in biology with a vigorous and active modern focus and a rich history of relevant
Isolated external iliac artery aneurysm secondary to cystic medial necrosis

The computed tomographic and angiographic findings of an isolated external iliac artery aneurysm secondary to cystic medial necrosis in a patient without Marfan's disease are demonstrated. A review of the differential diagnosis and surgical treatment of iliac artery aneurysms is presented. The dramatic surgical sequelae in this patient underscore the importance of preoperative consideration of this rare diagnosis.
Assessment of the Upper Particle Size Limit for Quantitative Analysis of Aerosols Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

The laser-induced plasma vaporization of individual silica microspheres in an aerosolized air stream was investigated. The upper size limit for complete particle vaporization corresponds to a silica particle diameter of 2.1 μm for a laser pulse energy of 320 mJ, as determined by the deviation from a linear mass response of the silicon atomic emission signal. Comparison of the measured silica particle sampling rates and those predicted based on Poisson sampling statistics and the overall laser-induced plasma volume suggests that the primary mechanism of particle vaporization is related to direct plasma−particle interactions as opposed to a laser beam−particle interaction. Finally, temporal and spatial plasma evolution is discussed in concert with factors that may influence the vaporization dynamics of individual aerosol particles, such as thermophoretic forces and vapor expulsion.
REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION BY NUCLEAR HORMONE RECEPTORS

AbstractSteroids and thyroid hormones, as well as vitamin D, retinoids and some nutrient metabolites (fatty acids, prostaglandins, farnesol metabolites) act by binding to members of the zinc-finger containing superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. These receptor proteins bind directly to specific DNA recognition sequences (hormone response elements) in the promoter region of target genes, resulting in the alteration of the transcription initiation rate. While the principle of action of these receptors appears to be quite simple, the promiscuous behavior of some members of this family as well as cross-talk with other signaling systems result in an intricate regulatory network with distinct particularities for each receptor type. Specific areas of current interest in nuclear receptor research are: (i) the mechanisms for target gene specificity, which occur at the level of receptor expression, ligand metabolism and/or DNA sequence; (ii) cross-talk with other signaling systems resulting in the modulation o...
Model selection for computer simulation of digital m.o.s.f.e.t. l.s.i. circuits

The paper describes a procedure for selecting from a collection of models, for the purpose of m.o.s.f.e.t. circuit simulation, a m.o.s.f.e.t. device model that provides the best trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency. The selection method employs the concept of the accuracy-efficiency product, and is suited to a situation in which only a few models will be used to represent all the devices in the network. Another selection method is also proposed, which employs a ‘model performance function’ and is appropriate for situations in which each device in a network can be represented by a different model. The results of applying these two selection methods to a particular m.o.s.f.e.t. model library are presented
Growth of the Sand Shrimp,Crangon septemspinosa, in Rhode Island

Growth rate of the sand shrimp,Crangon septemspinosa, in Rhode Island waters is directly proportional to water temperature. For individuals 20–30 mm long, growth is less than 0.4 mm/week during the winter (average water temperature 5 C) and greater than 1.1 mm/week during the summer (20 C). Smaller shrimp (20–30 mm) grow faster than larger shrimp (40–50 mm). Linear relationships between length and weight are derived.
Rotational dynamics of luteinizing hormone receptors and MHC class I antigens on murine Leydig cells.

Abstract We have examined the molecular motions of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor and the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I antigen on murine Leydig cells. Using time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy methods, erythrosin (ErITC)-derivatized ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) bound to the LH receptor appears rotationally mobile with rotational correlation times of 19.6 ± 1.3 μs, 13.3 ± 2.4 μs, 9.5 ± 0.7 μs and 4.7 ± 0.5 μs at 4°C, 15°C, 25°C and 37°C, respectively. Rotational correlation times for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-occupied LH receptors were similar to those of the ErITC-oLH occupied receptor at each temperature. In addition, both oLH- and hCG-occupied LH receptors were laterally mobile in fluorescence photobleaching recovery experiments with diffusion coefficients at 29°C of (5.8 ± 0.9) · 10−1 cm2 s−1 and (2.9 ± 0.4) · 10−1 cm2 s−1, respectively. We also measured the rotational correlation time of Class I antigen on murine Leydig cells using ErITC-derivatized 34-12-2S, an anti-Class I monoclonal antibody. Because there was no decay of the anisotropy function at 4°C, 15°C, 25°C or 37°C in the absence of oLH or following preincubation of Leydig cells with 1 nM oLH, it appears that Class I is rotationally immobile on the 1 ms timescale of our experiments. This result is consistent with the presence of Class I antigen in large molecular weight structures and may be the result of Class I self-aggregation. Further, treatment of cells with anti-Class I antibody had no effect on either basal or oLH-stimulated testosterone secretion. Thus, it appears that this anti-Class I antibody is not LH-mimetic on murine Leydig cells.
THE BEHAVIOUR OF MALE YELLOWMANTLED WIDOWBIRDS EUPLECTES MACROURUS IN WESTERN KENYA

Summary Savalli, U. M. 1993. The behaviour of male Yellowmantled Widowbirds Euplectes macrourus in western Kenya. Ostrich 64: 57–62. Male Yellowmantled (Yellowbacked) Widowbirds Euplectes macrourus use two displays in territorial defense. The territory boundary display involves a specific, upright posture along with the hiss-trill vocalization, but the song does not have a visual component. Courtship displays involve flicking up the wings and tail, sometimes leaning toward the female with the tail elevated, and a slow, bouncing flight display. The swivelling display described by Emlen (1957) was not observed, and seems to be replaced by the flicking displays. During the breeding season, male Yellowmantled Widowbirds defend territories from conspecifics but do not exclude Marsh Widowbirds E. hartlaubi. At night they form communal roosts off their territories. During the non-breeding season they form mixed species flocks with other finches. Male widowbirds are most active in display before 10h00, and often ...
‘Simple design-efficient calibration estimators for rejective and high-entropy sampling’

SUMMARY For survey calibration, consider the situation where the population totals of auxiliary variables are known or where auxiliary variables are measured for all population units. For each situation,wedevelopdesign-efficientcalibrationestimatorsunderrejectiveorhigh-entropysampling. A general approach is to extend efficient estimators for missing-data problems with independent and identically distributed data to the survey setting. We show that this approach effectively resolves two long-standing issues in existing approaches: how to achieve design efficiency regardless of a linear superpopulation model in generalized regression and calibration estimation, and how to find a simple approximation in optimal regression estimation. Moreover, the proposed approach sheds light on several issues that seem not to be well studied in the literature. Examples include use of the weighted Kullback–Leibler distance in calibration estimation, and efficient estimation allowing for misspecification of a nonlinear superpopulation model.
Sintering magnesium oxide obtained by the chemical beneficiation of magnesite

A quantitative relationship was established for sintering chemically beneficiated magnesite and a method of obtaining the MgO; we also established the parameters of hydrolysis of the magnesium chloride, the quantity of residual volatiles, the temperature and rate of thermal activation of residual volatiles, the temperature and rate of thermal activation of the magnesium oxide, not washed, and washed to get rid of the calcium impurities, and also the completeness of the hydration of the magnesium oxide during leaching. A production flow line is proposed for obtaining from the enriched material sintered periclase clinkers differing in density and degree of purity.
Carotenes from Mutants of the Dinoflagellate, Crypthecodinium cohnii

SYNOPSIS. The carotenoid compositions of 15 nitrosoguanidine-induced mutants of Crypthecodinium cohnii, a heterotrophic dinoflagellate, were determined by chromatographic and mass spectral analyses. Wild-type C. cohnii grown with irradiation of 250 m W/cm2 visible light at 27 C synthesizes β-carotene (33%) and γ-carotene (67%) amounting to 0.083 mg/g dry wt. There are 4 types of carotenoid-deficient mutants: (I) albinos which synthesize no C40-carotonoids: (II) albinos blocked at the level of phytoene desaturation; (III) cream-colored cells which accumulate mainly §–carotene, with phytoene and/or β-zeacarotene also present; and (IV) light-orange strains which synthesize reduced amounts of β-carotene and γ-carotene. Dark-grown wild-type cells produced 35% as much carotenoids as light-grown cells. Inhibition studies revealed that diphenylamine (3 γ) caused phytoene accumulation; nicotine at 0.9 mM blocked the final cyclization, to cause γ-carotene to accumulate in wild-type cells. Inhibition by adenine and guanine (1.5 mM) of carotenogenesis was demonstrated for the first time in any system. The effect of these purines was similar to that of diphenylamine addition: phytoene desaturation was largely inhibited. The carotenogenic system in this dinoflagellate is similar to that of green algae and higher plants, and is under nuclear genetic control.
Marital Adjustment: Controllin the Tendency to Distort Evaluations

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of conventionalization on marital ad justment research and other highly ego-involved studies relying upon self-report data. Convention alization is defined as the tendency of human subjects to distort self-appraisal data in the direction of social desirability. Relationships between marital adjustment, self-esteem, and other sociodemo graphic variables were examined without adjusting for conventionalization. The same analyses were then performed adjusting for conventionalization via a partial correlation technique. Data were based on responses from 38 randomly selected couples who had been married at least six months but not more than two years. Statistical analyses of marital adjustment, self-esteem, and other selected sociodemographic variables provided insight into the differential response patterns of husbands and wives. Results indicated that (1) neither marital adjustment nor self-esteem is unidimensional; (2) the relationship between marital adjustment and self-esteem is a complex, multi-faceted matter, and (3) only when conventionalization is dealt with in research design and analysis can its contaminating effects be negated and can the results of studies using self-rating instruments be considered valid.
Maximal homomorphic images of commutative semigroups

In this paper we give necessary and sufficient conditions on a commutative semigroup in order that it should have a maximal homomorphic image of one of the following types: (1) groups, (2) semigroups which are unions of groups and (3) pseudoinvertible semigroups, i. e. semigroups having the property that some power of each element lies in a subgroup of the semigroup.
Changes in treatment strategies for acute otitis media after full implementation of the pneumococcal seven valent conjugate vaccine.

Background. Administration of the pneumococcal seven valent conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) results in significant reductions in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease and nasopharyngeal colonization rates; however, the reduction in the overall incidence of acute otitis media (AOM) is minimal. Despite an ongoing shortage of PCV-7 in the United States, during which children are receiving fewer doses at longer intervals than the recommended dosing schedule, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in young children has continued to decrease. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to review why the reported effect of PCV-7 on AOM infection rates does not match the reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease or the reduction in nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods. The potential effect of a fully implemented PCV-7 schedule on AOM infections is calculated based on serotype-specific AOM reduction rates observed in clinical studies. Clinical success rates of various antimicrobials used in the treatment of AOM in children fully immunized with PCV-7 also are calculated based on projected PCV-7-induced changes in pathogen profiles and documented antimicrobial resistance rates. Questions regarding potential serotype substitution in children with AOM but not invasive pneumococcal disease, the increased incidence of infection with Haemophilus influenzae in children immunized with PCV-7 and the possibility of herd immunity also will be addressed. Results. Although the majority of penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae are included in PCV-7, AOM caused by these strains will not completely disappear, especially in children 24 months of age and younger. Conclusions. Consequently, clinicians must continue to consider penicillin-nonsusceptible pneumococci when prescribing antimicrobials for AOM.
Duration of improvement in psoriasis after treatment with tazarotene 0.1% gel plus clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment: comparison of maintenance treatments.

Fifty patients were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study designed to determine whether tazarotene may have a role in maintenance therapy for psoriasis. The patients had stable moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis on up to 15% of their body surface area, on sites other than the face and scalp. Their mean age was 55 years and the majority had had psoriasis for more than 10 years. Washout periods were: 2 weeks for topical drugs, 4 weeks for UVB or PUVA treatment, and 8 weeks for systemic drugs that might alter the course of psoriasis. For the initial open-label treatment phase, patients applied tazarotene 0.1% gel plus clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment for 6 weeks. The frequency of application of both medications was initially once daily and then was tapered to ensure gradual weaning. Thus, during weeks 1 and 2, patients applied tazarotene each morning and clobetasol propionate each evening. During weeks 3 and 4, patients applied tazarotene each morning and clobetasol propionate each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening. Finally, during weeks 5 and 6, patients applied tazarotene each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, and clobetasol propionate each Tuesday and Thursday evening. For the subsequent double-blind maintenance phase, patients were randomized to receive one of three maintenance regimens for 20 weeks – tazarotene/clobetasol (tazarotene 0.1% gel on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, plus clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment on Tuesday and Thursday evenings), tazarotene/vehicle (tazarotene 0.1% gel on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, plus white petrolatum on Tuesday and Thursday evenings), and vehicle (tazarotene gel vehicle on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings plus white petrolatum on Tuesday and Thursday evenings). Patients were instructed to apply a thin film of medication to their psoriatic plaques. Emollient use was permitted, but other topical formulations and excessive exposure to ultraviolet light were not. Efficacy was evaluated – at baseline, every 2 weeks during the initial treatment phase, and every 4 weeks during the maintenance phase – in terms of overall disease severity, plaque elevation, scaling, erythema, pruritus, and global response to treatment. The first four of these were rated by the physician as 0 = none, 2 = mild, 4 = moderate, 6 = severe, and 8 = very severe. Pruritus was rated as 0 = none, 1 = trace, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = marked, and 5 = severe. Global response was rated as 0 = cleared, 1 = almost cleared (∼90% improvement), 2 = marked (∼75%) improvement, 3 = moderate (∼50%) improvement, 4 = slight (∼25%) improvement, 5 = unchanged, and 6 = worse. Analysis of variance and the Student's t-test were used to compare maintenance regimens (P ≤ 0.05). In the maintenance phase, the last recorded score for each patient was carried forward to all subsequent visits.
Lyme Disease -- Where's the Bug?

Our understanding of Lyme disease relies primarily on clinical observations. The diagnosis is typically made with clinical criteria, and the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy is determined by cli...
Actigraphy and Sleep Diary Measurements in Breast Cancer Survivors: Discrepancy in Selected Sleep Parameters

This analysis examined the discrepancy between sleep diary and actigraphy measurements in breast cancer survivors (BCS) with insomnia. BCS from communities in Western U.S. provided demographic/medical information, insomnia, mood, and fatigue data at baseline. Averaged over 5 weeks, actigraphy measured 55.75 minutes (SD = 112.42) less total sleep time (TST), and 85.19 minutes (SD = 81.36) more wake after sleep onset (WASO) than diaries. Some women showed agreement between measures; others were more variable. There were no significant relationships between TST and WASO discrepancy and participant characteristics. There may be sleep differences in BCS that results in greater perceived TST and less WASO reported in diaries. Measurements discrepancy is a significant concern needing further evaluation of medical populations with insomnia.
LVAD as destination therapy-the economic dilemma

The artificial heart, after decades of development, remains a long way off as a practical remedy for people with failing hearts. But a related technology, the left ventricular assist device (LVAD), has passed major milestones in its development and is poised for widespread use. This technology, which is an offshoot of the artificial heart program, may well have greater impact on society than the artificial heart. It is time to consider its probable costs to society. A heart transplant is the present treatment of choice for end-stage heart failure (ESHF).
Application of Latent Class Analysis to Identify Behavioral Patterns of Response to Behavioral Lifestyle Interventions in Overweight and Obese Adults

Background Examining responders and non-responders to behavioral lifestyle interventions among overweight/obese adults with additional comorbidities may aid in refining and tailoring obesity treatment.
The relationship of ethnicity and sex to professor credibility at a culturally diverse university

This study examines the extent sex and ethnicity play in perceptions that university students have of teacher credibility. Students were sampled at a university with a predominately Hispanic population. A multivariate effect was found for teacher ethnicity on perceptions of competence and caring, with Caucasian instructors rated higher than Hispanic instructors. However, effect sizes were minimal. On the other hand, nonverbal immediacy, which was used as a covariate, accounted for much more of the variance in student perceptions and was strongly correlated with all three dimensions of teacher credibility. In addition, teacher variables such as immediacy and expertise, as opposed to ethnicity and sex, were major contributors to perceived student learning.
Effect of Pre‐Filtration on Selective Isolation of Tat Protein by Affinity Membrane Separation: Analysis of Flux, Separation Efficiency, and Processing Time

Abstract The isolation and purification of Tat protein from bacterial lysate using avidin‐biotin interaction in microfiltration membranes have been reported in the literature. To increase the efficacy of the technique, improvements in flux, Tat separation efficiency, and processing time are essential. In the current research work a pre‐filtration step was introduced to remove unwanted high molecular weight proteins and other impurities from feed prior to affinity membrane separation. Significant enhancement in flux and separation efficiency of Tat was observed. Processing time was also reduced significantly. For example, with UF pretreatment step the total Tat recovery was around four times higher (with processing time 25% lower) than that observed with the untreated feed. The quality of purified Tat was analyzed by SDS‐PAGE, Western Blot, and biotin analysis. Flux behavior in affinity separation was described by model equations.
The renin–angiotensin system in 2011: new avenues for translational research

As pointed out by Nishimura [1], angiotensin II (Ang II) is an ancient peptide, even found in some primitive vertebrates and most probably evolved as a regulator of salt and water balance. Since the discovery of a pressor agent emanating from the mammalian kidney [2,3] focus on the rennin–angiotensin system (RAS) has been pivotal in fostering our understanding of the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular and renal diseases. In this issue of Current Opinion in Pharmacology the emphasis is on novel mechanisms that involve the RAS and the mechanisms of its diverse functions. In a recent Pub Med search (1/28/2011) the term ‘angiotensin’ found 94,836 papers published since 1945. The impact of the physiology and pharmacology surrounding this peptide and its receptors is enormous. The treatment of hypertension and chronic heart failure has been revolutionized by drugs that target the production of Ang II and the blockade of its primary membrane target, the AT1 receptor. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors and Ang II receptor blockers result in significant reductions in mortality and cardiovascular events for patients with hypertension and heart failure [4,5].
Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Crime Future Directions for Feminist Criminology

More than 30 years after the first scholarship of its kind was produced, feminist studies of crime are more commonplace than ever before. Two recent milestone events—the 20th anniversary of the American Society of Criminology’s Division on Women and Crime and the creation of this journal, the official publication of the division—provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on what lies ahead for feminist criminology. In this article, the author argues that the future of feminist criminology lies in our willingness to embrace a theoretical framework that recognizes multiple, intersecting inequalities. Specifically, the author maintains that to advance an understanding of gender, crime, and justice that achieves universal relevance and is free from the shortcomings of past ways of thinking, feminist criminologists must examine linkages between inequality and crime using an intersectional theoretical framework that is informed by multiracial feminism.
Expression of integrin messenger ribonucleic acid in human endometrium: a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction study

Abstract Objective: To assess the expression of selected integrin subunit's messenger RNA (mRNA) in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Design: A prospective comparative study. Setting: Academic research environment. Patient(s): Premenopausal women with histologically normal endometrium who were undergoing hysterectomy. Intervention(s): Endometrial tissues were collected. Result(s): Human endometrium expresses integrins α2, α3, α4, α5, α6.1, α6.2, αv, β1, β2, β3, and β5, as well as fibronectin mRNA. The levels of endometrial integrins mRNA expression varied significantly, with the lowest levels observed for α2, β3, and fibronectin and the highest for α5, β2, and β5. The levels of integrins α2, α3, and α5 mRNA expression were significantly higher during the proliferative phase, whereas α4, α6.2, αv, β1, β2, β3, β5, and fibronectin were higher during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. The α6.1 mRNA was found to be equally expressed in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle, whereas the most dramatic changes occurred in αv and β3 expression, compared with other integrin subunits. Conclusion(s): Human endometrium expresses mRNA for several integrins and fibronectin, with up-regulation of α4, αv, β1, and β3 during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, suggesting that their differential expression may be regulated in part by ovarian steroids.
Keystroke Biometric Recognition Studies on Long-Text Input under Ideal and Application-Oriented Conditions

A long-text-input keystroke biometric system was developed for applications such as identifying perpetrators of inappropriate e-mail or fraudulent Internet activity. A Java applet collected raw keystroke data over the Internet, appropriate long-text-input features were extracted, and a pattern classifier made identification decisions. Experiments were conducted on a total of 118 subjects using two input modes - copy and free-text input - and two keyboard types - desktop and laptop keyboards. Results indicate that the keystroke biometric can accurately identify an individual who sends inappropriate email (free text) if sufficient enrollment samples are available and if the same type of keyboard is used to produce the enrollment and questioned samples. For laptop keyboards we obtained 99.5% accuracy on 36 users, which decreased to 97.9% on a larger population of 47 users. For desktop keyboards we obtained 98.3% accuracy on 36 users, which decreased to 93.3% on a larger population of 93 users. Accuracy decreases significantly when subjects used different keyboard types or different input modes for enrollment and testing.
Understanding and Assisting Couples Affected by an Eating Disorder

This article reviews the existing literature on heterosexual intimate relationships in which the female partner has an eating disorder. These couples often have trouble in a number of areas, including communication, sexual functioning, relational boundaries, and emotional health. Not only do these problems contribute to lower rates of relational satisfaction but they also affect a woman's chances for recovery. An understanding of this literature can inform family therapy practice. Recommendations are offered for those who provide counseling to these couples.
Serum IGF 1 is low and correlated with osteoblastic surface in idiopathic osteoporosis

We have previously reported that bone formation is impaired on histomorphometric analysis of bone in patients with idiopathic osteoporosis. In the present study, 30 patients with idiopathic osteoporosis (18 men and 12 women mean age 44 +/- 12 years) and spinal and/or appendicular fractures were studied. Compared with control values, bone biopsy analysis demonstrated reduced bone volume (13.0 +/- 4.4 vs. 23.2 +/- 4.4, p < 0.0001), osteoid volume (0.13 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.19, p = 0.001), osteoid surface (5.9 +/- 4.3 vs. 12.1 +/- 4.6, p = 0.0004), and diminished double-labeled mineralizing surface (MS/BS 2.0 +/- 2.1 vs. 5.1 +/- 2.7%, p = 0.0001) in the patients. Since insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is one of the major determinants of bone growth and remodeling, we measured the circulating level of this growth factor in these patients. The mean serum IGF-1 concentration was lower in patients as compared with 33 healthy age-matched controls (193 +/- 59 SD ng/ml vs. 232 +/- 79). A significant difference was noted between the two groups only in subjects younger than 36 years. In patients with idiopathic osteoporosis, regression analysis of serum IGF-1 against the various histological parameters measured from the bone biopsy disclosed significant correlation's between serum IGF-1 and osteoblastic surface (r = 0.429, p = 0.032), mineralizing bone surface with a double label (r = 0.480, p = 0.015), and the bone formation rate (r = 0.457, p = 0.021). These findings suggest that in young eugonadal individuals with idiopathic osteoporosis, reduced IGF-1 concentrations may have an etiological role in the development of this disease.
Doppler-free laser-induced fluorescence of oxygen atoms in an atmospheric-pressure flame.

Doppler-free laser-induced fluorescence of oxygen atoms has been measured in the burnt gases of an atmospheric-pressure flame, where the Doppler and collisional widths are similar. The 3p3P level was excited using counterpropagating beams at 226 nm. Upper-state fine-structure splitting could be partially resolved, and a collisionally broadened Lorentzian width of 0.42 cm−1 was measured. This corresponds to a broadening cross section of 10−13 cm2, which is larger than that expected for collisional quenching alone.
Terrain analysis from curvature profiles

This paper describes a new algorithm which uses Gaussian and mean curvature values of the terrain surface to extract feature points. These points are then used for recognition of particular subregions of the terrain and in estimating relative positions of these subregions in the terrain. The Gaussian and mean curvatures are chosen because they are invariant under rotation and translation. In the Gaussian and mean curvature images, the points of maximum and minimum curvatures are extracted and used for matching. The stability of the position of these points in the presence of noise and with resampling is investigated. The input for this algorithm is 3D digital terrain data. Curvature values are calculated from the data by fitting a quadratic surface over a square window and calculating directional derivatives of this surface. A method of surface fitting that is invariant to sensor-centered coordinate system transformation is suggested and implemented. Real terrain data are used in our experiments. The algorithm is tested with and without the presence of noise, and its performance is described.
Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists at a Fork in the Road

If you come to a fork in the road, take it. — —Yogi Berra, US baseball player, coach, and manager (1925–) Up to one half of patients with chronic heart failure and two thirds of patients with acute heart failure have concomitant renal dysfunction—a clinicopathophysiologic association that has been termed the cardiorenal syndrome.1 When present, baseline renal impairment contributes to adverse outcomes in both ambulatory and hospital settings, and the attributable risk increases with progression of both cardiac and renal disease. Although independent risk factors have been identified (eg, hypertension and diabetes) and underlying mechanisms described, targeted therapies are lacking. Complicating in-hospital management further, renal function may worsen, leading to diuretic resistance and an inability or unwillingness to administer life-prolonging therapies due to a circulatory-renal limitation. Against this backdrop, a novel class of drugs, the adenosine A1 receptor antagonists, has emerged as potential agents that can oppose an important pathway in the cardiorenal syndrome.2 Article see p 519 Adenosine, an endogenous purine nucleoside formed from the breakdown of adenosine triphosphate, exerts pleiotropic effects throughout the human body through its interaction with at least 4 receptor subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3).2,3 In the cardiovascular system, activation of A1 receptors reduces cardiac contractility, inhibits norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve terminals, and suppresses sinoatrial and atrioventricular conduction. Recent data from transgenic mice also suggest that myocardial A1 receptors may contribute to adverse ventricular remodeling.4 The renal actions of adenosine mediated by A1 receptors are equally complex5 and include vasoconstriction of afferent arterioles, sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubules, and stimulation of tubuloglomerular feedback in the macula densa. The effect of adenosine on tubuloglomerular feedback is particularly relevant in states of volume overload such as heart …
Synergistic substrate inhibition of ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase: a potential feed-forward inhibition mechanism limiting gibberellin metabolism.

Gibberellins (GAs) or gibberellic acids are ubiquitous diterpenoid phytohormones required for many aspects of plant growth and development, including repression of photosynthetic pigment production (i.e. deetiolation) in the absence of light. The committed step in GA biosynthesis is catalyzed in plastids by ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase (CPS), whose substrate, (E,E,E,)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), is also a direct precursor of carotenoids and the phytol side chain of chlorophyll. Accordingly, during deetiolation, GA production is repressed, whereas flux toward these photosynthetic pigments through their common GGPP precursor is dramatically increased. How this is accomplished has been unclear because no mechanism for regulation of CPS activity has been reported. We present here kinetic analysis of recombinant pseudomature CPS from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; rAtCPS) demonstrating that Mg2+ and GGPP exert synergistic substrate inhibition effects on CPS activity. These results suggest that GA metabolism may be limited by feed-forward inhibition of CPS; in particular, the effect of Mg2+ because light induces increases in plastid Mg2+ levels over a similar range as that observed here to affect rAtCPS activity. Notably, this effect is most pronounced in the GA-specific AtCPS because the corresponding activity of the resin acid biosynthetic enzyme abietadiene synthase is 100-fold less sensitive to [Mg2+]. Furthermore, Mg2+ allosterically activates the plant porphobilinogen synthase involved in chlorophyll production. Hence, Mg2+ may have a broad role in regulating plastidial metabolic flux during deetiolation. Finally, the observed synergistic substrate/feed-forward inhibition of CPS also seems to provide a novel example of direct regulation of enzymatic activity in hormone biosynthesis.
Controlling the inhibition of the sarcoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase by tuning phospholamban structural dynamics

which in humans is responsible for70% of the calcium re-uptake in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Dysfunction in this regulatory mechanism causes severe pathophysiologies. In this report, we used a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, and coupled enzyme assays to investigate how single mutations at position 21 of PLN affects its structural dynamics and, in turn, its interaction with SERCA. We found that it is possible to control the activity of SERCA by tuning PLN structural dynamics. Both increased rigidity and mobility of the PLN backbone cause a reduction of SERCA inhibition, affecting calcium transport. Although the more rigid, loss-offunction (LOF) mutants have lower binding affinities for SERCA, the more dynamic LOF mutants have binding affinities similar to that of PLN. Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to harness this knowledge to design new LOF mutants with activity similar to S16E (a mutant already used in gene therapy) for possible application in recombinant gene therapy. As proof of concept, we show a new mutant of PLN, P21G, with improved LOF characteristics in vitro.
Insertional inactivation of an Escherichia coli urease gene by IS3411

Abstract Ureolytic Escherichia coli are unusual clinical isolates that are found at various extraintestinal sites of infection, predominantly the urinary tract. The urease-positive phenotype is unstable in approximately 25% of these isolates, and urease-negative segregants are produced at a high frequency. We have studied the nature of the urease-positive-to-negative transition in one of these isolates, designated E. coli 1021. Southern hybridization experiments with genomic DNA extracted from seven independent E. coli 1021 urease-negative segregants revealed the presence of a 1.3-kb DNA insertion in the urease gene cluster. A DNA fragment containing the DNA insertion was cloned from one of the urease-negative segregants. This cloned DNA fragment was capable of mediating cointegrate formation with the conjugative plasmid pOX38, suggesting that the DNA insertion was a transposable element. The insert was identified as an IS3411 element in ureG by DNA sequence analysis. A 3-bp target duplication (CTG) flanking the insertion element was found. DNA spanning the insertion site was amplified from the other six urease-negative segregants by using the polymerase chain reaction. The DNA sequence of the amplified fragments indicated that an IS3411 element was found in an identical site in all urease-negative segregants examined. These data suggest that in E. coli 1021, IS3411 transposes at a high frequency into ureG at a CTG site, disrupting this gene and eliminating urease activity.
Pulsed discharges for medical applications

We have investigated the possibility to instigate discharges in tissue and evaluated their potential for medical applications. With appropriate electrode configurations, we were able to generate either corona discharges or spark discharges in the tissue itself by applying nominal rectangular high voltage pulses of 30-ns and 380-ns duration, respectively. The shorter pulses were provided by a Blumlein line pulse generator, and the longer pulses were generated with a Blumlein pulse forming network. Sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields have demonstrated remarkable potential in the treatment of solid tumors1. We assumed that the efficacy of the method can be improved by reactive species that are generated in a corona. Changing the polarity of the voltage-bias applied to the center needle of a coaxial delivery system, we were able to compare treatments with and without discharge. However, our experiments did not show any significant advantage of a corona discharge for our configuration and treatment parameters. With the longer pulse it is possible to generate a spark discharge between the tips of two needle electrodes, which are inserted into the tissue. Depending on tissue type (muscle, liver, fat) and pulse amplitude, several tissue-conditioning pulses had to be applied before breakdown could be achieved. When a spark was initiated, the breakdown voltage was lower than expected for liquids but higher than expected for air (at atmospheric pressure). The visual inspection of the tissue damage showed a highly localized incision, which runs between the tips of the needle electrodes. The preliminary histological analysis suggests that the damage is mostly caused by the Shockwave associated with the spark.