cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic sensor AMPK directly phosphorylates RAG1 protein and regulates V(D)J recombination

The ability to sense metabolic stress is critical for successful cellular adaptation. In eukaryotes, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase, functions as a critical metabolic sensor. AMPK is activated by the rising ADP/ATP and AMP/ATP ratios during conditions of energy depletion and also by increasing intracellular Ca2+. In response to metabolic stress, AMPK maintains energy homeostasis by phosphorylating and regulating proteins that are involved in many physiological processes including glucose and fatty acid metabolism, transcription, cell growth, mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy. Evidence is mounting that AMPK also plays a role in a number of pathways unrelated to energy metabolism. Here, we identify the recombination-activating gene 1 protein (RAG1) as a substrate of AMPK. The RAG1/RAG2 complex is a lymphoid-specific endonuclease that catalyzes specific DNA cleavage during V(D)J recombination, which is required for the assembly of the Ig and T-cell receptor genes of the immune system. AMPK directly phosphorylates RAG1 at serine 528, and the phosphorylation enhances the catalytic activity of the RAG complex, resulting in increased cleavage of oligonucleotide substrates in vitro, or increased recombination of an extrachromosomal substrate in a cellular assay. Our results suggest that V(D)J recombination can be regulated by AMPK activation, providing a potential new link between metabolic stress and development of B and T lymphocytes.
Primary and secondary structure of the 25S rRNA from the dimorphic fungus Mucor racemosus.

A 9.76 Kb ribosomal DNA repeat unit from the nuclear genome of the dimorphic fungus Mucor racemosus (Zygomycetes) was identified using a hybridization probe from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Ascomycetes). This material was cloned in Escherichia coli plasmids as four overlapping pieces and mapped with respect to cleavage sites for 12 restriction endonucleases. The nucleotide sequence of the complete 25S rRNA gene and flanking regions was determined. The 5′ and 3′ ends of the structural gene were identified by comparison with the published sequence for the S. cerevisiae gene. The Mucor gene was found to possess 3469 bp and have a GC content of 42.8%. It was compared with the homologous gene from several other eukaryotes and found to be most similar to that from Saccharomyces. A potential secondary structure of the putative RNA transcript consistent with the structures proposed for the E. coli and Saccharomyces molecules was constructed by computer modelling.
Receptor-Mediated Regulation of Pulmonary Surfactant Secretion

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) regulates surfactant secretion via an SP-A specific type II cell membrane receptor (SPAR). We report here that two anti-SPAR monoclonal antibodies can modulate the secretory inhibition caused by SP-A. A2C and A2R are rat monoclonal antibodies raised independently and recognize a 32-kDa protein on rat alveolar type II cell membranes. Immunocytochemical studies show that these antibodies bind to isolated type II cells. Scatchard analysis confirms that SP-A binds alveolar type II cells through a single affinity receptor and shows that A2C and A2R recognize that same receptor. Both antibodies inhibit the binding of 125I-SP-A to isolated type II cells. The functional activity of this 32-kDa protein was studied by examining surfactant secretion in isolated type II cells. Surfactant phospholipid secretion was measured in cells that were exposed to various surfactant phospholipid secretagogues (ATP, dibutyryl cAMP, terbutaline, or ionomycin), +/-SP-A (100 ng/ml), +/-A2C or A2R. Both antibodies block the negative feedback loop by which SP-A inhibits surfactant secretion. This activity of A2C and A2R is dose-dependent and is independent of the secretagogue used. Thus, the 32-kDa type II cell membrane protein bound by A2C and A2R is the functional receptor on alveolar type II cell membranes and regulates type II cell surfactant secretion.
Development of the neuromuscular junction in extraocular muscles of white Leghorn chicks

Relatively little is known about the development of the neuromuscular junction of extraocular muscles (EOMs). In recent years, chicks have been increasingly used as a developmental model in ophthalmological research. To utilize this model system for understanding the development and plasticity of the extraocular motor system, we investigated the structural changes that occur at the developing neuromuscular junction in the chick between embryonic day 14 (E14) and posthatch day 2 (P2). Axons and nerve terminals were visualized with fluorescent neurofilament antibodies and motor endplates with rhodamine-conjugated alpha-bungarotoxin. Nerve fibers and endplates were colabeled within the same tissue samples. Motor endplates (density, length, width, and area) were measured and numbers of axons per neuromuscular junction were counted using confocal and conventional microscopy. In P2 chicks, densities of motor endplates were significantly greater in the superior oblique muscle when compared with the superior rectus and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. EOMs showed a two- to threefold larger area of motor endplate size as compared to gastrocnemius muscle. Motor endplate size also differed among EOMs with the superior oblique muscle having endplates with a larger area than those of the superior rectus muscle. The period of synapse elimination was similar between EOM and gastrocnemius muscle. Synapse elimination began at about E18 and was completed by P2. By describing the normal morphological changes in developing EOMs, this study provides a baseline for future work to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms that regulate EOM innervation and strength.
Determination of body fluids by the impedance technique

For the purposes of determining body composition, the body can be viewed as the sum of two components, fat and fat-free mass, the latter including water, protein, and minerals. Current methods for determining the size of these various components of the body are either inexact, invasive, or dependent on expensive or slow instrumentation. Bioelectrical impedance, which is rapid, noninvasive, and relatively inexpensive is examined as an alternative method for measuring body composition. The potential for the impedance technique arises from the very different electrical properties of the body components. The theory of bioelectrical impedance analysis is briefly presented, and human applications are discussed. The results of studies validating the method are cited. >
INSULINOMA AND MULTIPLE NEUROFIBROMATOSIS: REPORT OF A CASE.

Abstract A patient with multiple neurofibromatosis with severe generalized cutaneous involvement and a functioning beta cell carcinoma of the pancreas is reported. Determinations of blood sugar and insulin-like activity during glucose tolerance and sodium tolbutamide tests as well as the results of assay of the extracts of the tumor, adjacent normal pancreas, and cutaneous neurofibromas for insulin-like activity are also presented.
Enkephalins modulate the responsiveness of rat atria in vitro to norepinephrine.

Potential interactions between opiate peptides and catecholamines in mammalian heart were examined using isolated spontaneously beating rat atria as a test system. Methionine-enkephalin (ME), leucine-enkephalin (LE), phe-met-arg-phe amide (FMRFamide), D-ala2, N-methyl-phe4, met (O)5-ol-enkephalin (FK 33-834), methionine-enkephalin arg6 arg7 (ME arg6 arg7) and beta-endorphin had no effect on basal beating rate of isolated atria at all concentrations up to 10(-5) M. The positive chronotropic effect of norepinephrine (NE) on atrial rate is, however, significantly attenuated by enkephalin peptides. Thus, the maximal chronotropic effect of NE (an increase from 317 +/- 7.0 to 473 +/- 7.3 beats per minute (bpm) in 250 gm rats at a dose of 10(-5)M NE) is decreased by 42% in the presence of 10(-7)m ME. The action of ME is completely blocked by addition of 10(-7)M naloxone, which by itself has no effect on NE-induced positive chronotropy or basal beating rate. The dose-effect curve for ME attenuation of NE-induced positive chronotropy is bell-shaped, i.e., both 10(-8) M and 10(-5) M ME have no significant effect on NE positive chronotropy. Other enkephalin peptides acted in a similar manner to ME; LE (10(-7) M) and FK 33-834 (10(-8) M) decreased maximal NE-induced positive chronotropy 42 and 27%, respectively. The molluscan cardioexcitatory peptide FMRFamide (10(-7) M) also decreased maximal NE positive chronotropy, about 30%. In contrast, beta-endorphin did not significantly affect NE stimulation of atrial rate. We conclude that enkephalins can modulate the noradrenergic responsiveness of rat atria in vitro. The possible physiological relevance of this interaction is discussed.
Unbalanced 4;6 translocation and progressive renal disease.

Two sibs are described with an unbalanced 4;6 translocation resulting in partial trisomy 6p and monosomy for distal 4p. Growth retardation, psychomotor retardation, and characteristic facial appearance are present. The facial anomalies include high prominent forehead, blepharoptosis, blepharophimosis, high nasal bridge, bulbous nose, long philtrum, small mouth with thin lips, and low-set ears. Both children have small kidneys and have had proteinuria since early childhood. The older boy developed progressive renal disease including hypertension and renal failure necessitating renal transplantation at age 18 years. Renal biopsy of the younger girl also indicates significant renal involvement. Progressive renal disease is likely an important part of the trisomy 6p phenotype.
Log/sub 2/ (N, m, p) strictly nonblocking networks

A class of self-routing strictly nonblocking switching networks, called the Log/sub 2/ (N, m, p) network, is introduced. The proposed networks are self-routing and have O (Log/sub 2/ N) stages between each inlet-outlet pair. The self-routing capability makes it attractive for high-speed switching; the small number of crosspoints between each inlet-outlet pair also makes the network well suited for many nonlogic photonic switching technologies. The complexity and the fault-tolerant capability of the strictly nonblocking Log/sub 2/ (N, m, p) network are analyzed. To show the merits of the proposed network, the authors compare it to the Cantor network, which is also strictly nonblocking and has similar characteristics. >
Inherently imprecise causal complexes

Causal complexes are groupings of smaller causal relations that make up a large grained causal object. Usually, com-monsense reasoning is more successful in reasoning about a few large-grained events than many fine-grained events. However, the larger-grained causal objects are necessarily more imprecise as some of their constituent components. Causality is imprecisely granular in many ways. Knowledge of at least some causal effects is inherently imprecise. It is unlikely that all possible factors can be known for many subjects; consequently, causal knowledge is inherently incomplete and therefore imprecise. A satisficing solution might be to develop large-grained solutions and then only go to the finer-grain when the impreciseness of the large-grain is unsatisfactory.
Beam stop failure — A potential hazard in tritium gas targets

Abstract Blistering of gold and platinum beam stops used in cells to contain tritium gas for neutron production targets has been observed. Such blistering becomes apparent after heavy bombardment by proton or deuteron beams of 2–10 MeV. Left unchecked, the blisters grow and eventually rupture, weakening the beam stop and possibly allowing leakage of tritium.
Giant odontogenic myxofibroma

Abstract A case of myxofibroma of the maxilla is presented, the first to be published with electron microscopic studies. Our histochemical studies prove that the characteristic myoxid matrix is an acid mucopolysaccharide of connective tissue origin, and support the concept that this tumor arises from odontogenic tissues. The electron microscopic studies prove that the proliferating cell in this neoplasm is the fibroblast. These fibroblasts are synthesizing the mucopolysaccharide matrix, and are producing and resorbing collagen. This neoplasm is thus basically a fibroma, with the synthesis of abundant acid mucopolysaccharide by the fibroblasts giving it its characteristic myxoid appearance.
Instrumental effects on time-of-flight spectra☆

Abstract Using two detectors to time individual scattered particles, time-of-flight, medium-energy backscattering has established a new standard for depth resolution by ion backscattering and has been suggested as a means to measure very low levels of contamination on semiconductor surfaces. This paper sets forth a criterion for backscattering sensitivity to trace contaminants based upon the limit imposed by sputtering and analyzes the implications of random coincidence background in time-of-flight spectra for reaching this theoretical limit. The effects of high count rates on spectral shape are discussed as are the effects of the quantum efficiencies of start and stop detectors. An integral equation relating an intrinsic spectrum and the corresponding measured data set is presented along with its formal solution.
A study of interfacial polycondensation in a continuous reaction system

A study was made of the interfacial polycondensation of nylon 6–10 in a continuous reaction system since no previous detailed work of this type was reported in the literature. An experimental stirred-flow reactor was used to determine both yield and intrinsic viscosity (molecular weight) as functions of reactant ratio (sebacoyl chloride/hexamethylenediamine) and Reynolds number. It was found that mass transfer was the controlling factor in the reaction system. The yield as a function of Reynolds number correlated directly with the behavior of mass transfer coefficient. In addition, reactant ratio effects on yield were shown to relate to change in organic phase volume. Intrinsic viscosity was a maximum in the same reactant ratio range as for batch and continuous cascade systems studied earlier. Intrinsic viscosity behavior was also shown to relate to mass transfer. The jD data for the reactor systems were also determined. These values were shown to correlate if normalized for reactant ratio.
The place of dosage form innovation and the OTC market: the price to pay.

Abstract Aims and Objectives The aims and objectives of this article are to provide a background to the innovations that are made in over the counter market and to outline the time and costs involved in these activities.
Prediction of Fracture and Fatigue Damage in Engineering Structures

This paper presents a method of failure analysis based on the theory of damage mechanics to predict fracture and fatigue failure in engineering structures. Two damage surfaces, the fatigue damage surface and the plastic damage surface, are firstly introduced to characterize material degradation. Then the damage evolution equations are provided. A failure criterion is proposed using the concept of damage accumulation. The model is incorporated into a commercial finite element program ABAQUS, which is used to conduct failure analyses in components made of AL 2024-T3 under both monotonic loading and cyclic loading.© 2002 ASME
The Inverse Relationship between Protein Dynamics and Thermal Stability

Protein powders that are dehydrated or mixed with a glassy compound are known to have improved thermal stability. We present elastic and quasielastic neutron scattering measurements of the global dynamics of lysozyme and ribonuclease A powders. In the absence of solvation water, both protein powders exhibit largely harmonic motions on the timescale of the measurements. Upon partial hydration, quasielastic scattering indicative of relaxational processes appears at sufficiently high temperature. When the scattering spectrum are analyzed with the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts formalism, the exponent beta decreases with increasing temperature, suggesting that multiple relaxation modes are emerging. When lysozyme was mixed with glycerol, its beta values were higher than the hydrated sample at comparable temperatures, reflecting the viscosity and stabilizing effects of glycerol.
Iaterogenic injuries during retrograde delivery of cardioplegia

During last eight years, retrograde delivery of cardioplegia was used on a regular basis, utilizing a DLP INC (Grand Rapids, MI) or a Research Medical INC (Salt Lake City UT) delivery systems, in almost an equal number of patients. This method resulted in a high pressure rupture, or perforation of the coronary sinus, its radicals or the right ventricle (RV) in 0.06% (5/7886) of patients. Intraoperative diagnosis of these injuries were confirmed on abnormal haemodynamic tracings and trans oesophageal echocardiography (TOE), and appearance of cardiac contusion or leakage of cardioplegia. A low incidence of these iaterogenic injuries may be attributed to: (1) a regular use of this method and (2) use of TOE guided manipulations in select high risk and reoperative patients. Repair of these injuries, as described, resulted in salvage of 4/5 (80%) patients.
Cell cycle regulation of DNA repair in normal and repair deficient human cells.

Abstract The regulation of nucleotide excision repair and base excision repair by normal and repair deficient human cells was determined. Synchronous cultures of WI-38 normal diploid fibroblasts and Xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts (complementation group D) (XP-D) were used to investigate whether DNA repair pathways were modulated during the cell cycle. Two criteria were used: (1) unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in the presence of hydroxyurea (HU) after exposure to UV light or after exposure to N -acetoxy-acetylaminofluorene ( N -AcO-AAF) to quantitate nucleotide excision repair or UDS after exposure to methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) to measure base excision repair; (2) repair replication into parental DNA in the absence of HU after exposure to UV light. Nucleotide excision repair after UV irradiation was induced in WI-38 fibroblasts during the cell cycle reaching a maximum in cultures exposed 14–15 h after cell stimulation. Similar results were observed after exposure to N -AcO-AAF. DNA repair was increased 2–4-fold after UV exposure and was increased 3-fold after N -AcO-AAF exposure. In either instance nucleotide excision repair was sequentially stimulated prior to the enhancement of base excision repair which was stimulated prior to the induction of DNA replication. In contrast XP-D failed to induce nucleotide excision repair after UV irradiation at any interval in the cell cycle. However, base excision repair and DNA replication were stimulated comparable to that enhancement observed in WI-38 cells. The distinctive induction of nucleotide excision repair and base excision repair prior to the onset of DNA replication suggests that separate DNA repair complexes may be formed during the eucaryotic cell cycle.
WE‐C‐L100J‐03: The New Solid State X‐Ray Image Intensifier (SSXII): A Demonstration of Operation Over a Range of Angiographic and Fluoroscopic Exposure Levels

Purpose: To demonstrate the SSXII's capability to image at high angiographic to low fluoroscopic exposure levels using the built‐in adjustable gain. Method and Materials: The prototype SSXII is composed of a 1k×1k, 8μm pixel EMCCD camera system coupled to a 350 μm thick CsI(Tl) structured phosphor via a 1:1 fiber‐optic taper (FOT) and is designed for easy interchange of these front‐end components for task‐based optimization. Variable signal amplification (in solid state) from 1x to 2000x effectively eliminates image degradation due to read‐out noise over all input x‐ray intensities. Images were acquired of a stent crimped on a 1 mm diameter balloon‐tip catheter, for various x‐ray spectra, using both radiographic and fluoroscopic exposures ranging from 6 mR to 145 μR and 80 to 2.7 μR, respectively. The EMCCD gain was adjusted in order to maintain a constant output signal of ∼90% of maximum over these exposures (∼3700 digital units). Results: A series of images, obtained by halving the exposure while doubling the gain, offers a near textbook demonstration of the effect of incident SNR on the resulting image quality. Fine structures of a crimped stent are visible for the entire range of radiographic exposures tested, demonstrating the very high‐resolution capabilities of the SSXII. In pulsed fluoroscopic mode, resolving the crimped stent structures becomes difficult below 40 μR. Using high gain, the object was visible down to 2.7 μR, which corresponds to ∼0.1 incident x‐ray photons per pixel, demonstrating both tremendous sensitivity and extremely low effective instrumentation noise. Conclusion:Images obtained with the prototype SSXII, over a vast range of exposure levels, indicate this new dynamic x‐ray imager has the potential to provide significant improvements over current state‐of‐the‐art detectors (both FPDs and XIIs) for high‐resolution angiographic and low‐noise, real‐time fluoroscopic imaging. (Partial support from the UB Foundation and NIH grants R01‐EB002873, R01‐NS43924.)
Recent Trends in Coverage of the Mexican-Born Population of the United States: Results From Applying Multiple Methods Across Time

The accuracy of counts of U.S. racial/ethnic and immigrant groups depends on the coverage of the foreign-born in official data. Because Mexicans constitute by far the largest single national-origin group among the foreign-born in the United States, we compile new evidence about the coverage of the Mexican-born population in the 2000 census and 2001-2010 American Community Survey (ACS) using three techniques: a death registration, a birth registration, and a net migration method. For the late 1990s and first half of the 2000-2010 decade, results indicate that coverage error was somewhat higher than currently assumed but had substantially declined by the latter half of the 2000-2010 decade. Additionally, we find evidence that U.S. census and ACS data miss substantial numbers of children of Mexican immigrants, as well as people who are most likely to be unauthorized: namely, working-aged Mexican immigrants (ages 15-64), especially males. The findings highlight the heterogeneity of the Mexican foreign-born population and the ways in which migration dynamics may affect population coverage.
An Assessment of the Construct Validity of Three Job Evaluation Methods: a Field Experiment

Federal statutes recommend the analysis of four job attributes as measures of job worth, and the National Academy of Sciences recommends using one job evaluation method across classifications in an...
Acute Intermittent Porphyria Associated with Hyperthyroidism

A case of thyrotoxic myopathy in association with acute intermittent porphyria is described. Treatment of the hyperthyroidism was followed by rapid improvement of the apparently moribund patient. Subsequently, the porphyria has followed a benign course. Three main points can be derived from observations in the case reported here. 1) Associated hyperthyroidism should be considered in a patient with myopathic porphyria because of the similar clinical features. 2) Thyrotoxic myopathy and myopathic porphyria aggravate each other. 3) Propylthiouracil, despite its chemical similarity to the thiobarbitals, was used without ill effect.
Corn growth response to K fertilization on three compacted soils

Abstract A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the response of corn ( Zea mays L.) to K fertilization on Kewaunee silty clay loam, Plainfield loamy sand, and Plano silt loam soils compacted to two bulk density levels. Treatments were established in a factorial combination of two soil bulk density levels, three soil K levels, with and without banded placement of K. Increasing soil bulk density did not affect the height growth of the corn on any soil, but did increase shoot dry matter weight on the Kewaunee soil. Root dry matter was reduced by increased soil bulk density on the Kewaunee soil. The shoot/ root ratio was greater at the higher bulk density on all soils. Increasing soil K increased the shoot dry matter content on all soils and increased root dry matter content on the Kewaunee and Plano soils. The banded K treatment did not affect height growth or dry matter accumulation. Shoot K concentration was reduced at the higher soil bulk density on the Kewaunee and Plano soils. Both methods of K application increased the K concentration of the shoots on all soils.
Best in small doses

Sometimes a smidgen of toxin can be just what the doctor ordered, say biologists Mark Mattson and Edward Calabrese
Triiodothyronine binding to liver nuclear solubilized proteins in vitro.

Nuclear proteins extracted from purifiednuclei with 0.4M KC1 at pH 7.4 or 8.5 are ableto bind L-triiodothyronine (T3) giving rise to nuclearthyroid hormone binding protein-T3 (NTBP-T3)complexes. Binding is maximum in 3 h at 20 C. It isthermolabile even at 36 C, inhibited by phydroxymercuribenzoateand markedly enhancedby dithiothreitol. Optimum pH is between 7.8 and8.5. Divalent cations are not necessary. TheNTBP-T3 complex exhibits similar anodal electrophoreticmigration in polyacrylamide gel at pH8.5, whether formed in vivo or in vitro. Scatchardplots obtained with various amounts of T3 from 0.15nM to 0.15 μM and either unlabeled nuclearproteins or in vivo formed NTBP-[125I]-T3 complexes,give apparent association constants Ka of0.2 × 1010 M-1 at pH 7.4 and 0.8 × 1010 M-1 at pH8.5. Capacity is about 0.5 pmol T3 per mg protein or800 pg/g liver. The presence of dithiothreitol markedlyenhances the Ka. The nuclear binding sitesare not highly specific for L-T3 since they are able tobind D-T3 with almost equal ...
Should Intravenous Thrombolysis be Considered the First Option in Pregnant Women

The current package insert for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) indicates that consideration of its use in pregnancy must include risks weighed against anticipated benefits. Major risks in the current patient include a bad functional outcome from an evolving stroke with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 12 and known M2 occlusion, risk of intracerebral hemorrhage from thrombolytic agent or other reperfusion therapy if used, major uterine hemorrhage with risk to mother and baby, and risk to the unborn baby from hemorrhage or spontaneous abortion, although t-PA does not cross the blood-placenta barrier.1 The major potential benefits are restoration of blood flow to ischemic brain and a likely excellent clinical outcome if reperfusion is complete and timely. And a good functional outcome for the mother not only makes a successful pregnancy and delivery of a healthy baby more likely but, as importantly, also increases the likelihood that the pregnant woman can care for her child after delivery and beyond. Unfortunately, the literature to guide our decision making is limited to several small published retrospective series of report on pregnant women with stroke, including …
The nutritional status of the apical meristem of Lactuca sativa as affected by NaCl salinization: An electron-probe microanalytic study.

A volume of tissue of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants extending 2 mm basipetally from the apical meristem and including leaf primordia and young expanding leaves was surveyed using electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) on both frozen-hydrated and freeze-dried samples. This analysis was carried out either 2 or 5 d following NaCl salinization of the medium from the 10 mol · m−-3 control level up to 80 mol · m−-3. The objective was the investigation of possible changes in the nutritional status of the apical meristem that might account for some aspects of salt-induced growth inhibition. Sodium and chloride increased significantly in tissues basal to the apical meristem, while both phosphorus and potassium decreased in the same region. These changes were evident in specimens collected just 2 d after the commencement of salinization (20 h after completion of the salinization) and were not exacerbated by an additional 3 d of treatment; they were present in tissue as close as 100 μm to the meristem and extending down to 500 μm. The apical 10–50 μm were relatively protected from both the increase in sodium and chloride and the decrease in phosphorus and potassium that occurred in more basal regions. Young leaves (up to 1.5 mm in length) appear to control their own mineral nutrient levels when challenged by salinization of the medium, presumably because of altered growth. A decrease in the concentration of total Ca as a result of salinization was significant in cells 500 μm basal to the meristem, but was evident as a tendency in the data even within the first 50 μm. Using an improved automatic method for the analysis of calcium by EPMA, it was found that total Ca was reduced by salinization, especially in basal regions (500 μm below the apex) and also in young leaves (1–1.5 mm in length). We suggest that the nutrition of the shoot apical meristem may be disturbed soon after salinization and that the shoot meristem might be the source of a signal to expanding leaves, as well as exerting its own direct influence over leaf emergence.
Reference assisted nucleic acid sequence reconstruction from mass spectrometry data

While tandem MS has long been the main technique used for protein and small molecule identification in proteomics and metabolomics, MS-based protocols for nucleic acid analysis have only gained acceptance in the past decade. Commercially available from Sequenom, assays such as MassCLEAVE start by PCR amplification of one or more regions of interest using primers tagged with two different promoters (T7 and SP6). PCR amplification is followed by four in vitro transcription and RNA cleavage reactions that generate molecules corresponding to fragments ending at each occurrence of specific nucleotides in the original DNA template. Subjecting these fragments to matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS results in four base-specific mass spectra. Depending on instrument precision, peak masses can be matched with one or more fragment base compositions, or compomers. This information can be used for performing a number of nucleic acids analyses ranging from polymorphism discovery and genotyping and microbial identification to DNA methylation analysis and non-invasive prenatal genetic testing. MS-based assays are also becoming increasingly popular in molecular epidemiology due to the very low cost and relatively high throughput (384 reactions in less than one hour for a single MassARRAY system) compared to next-generation sequencing. They are a particularly good fit for studying heterogeneity of viral populations, since virus genomes are small and have even smaller hypervariable regions of common interest. For example, most studies of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) focus on a single viral amplicon containing the ≈290bp long Hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). This region is sufficient for estimating several population genetics parameters of interest. Analysis of genetic heterogeneity of hepatitis viruses is useful for tracing the route of transmission and the geographical migration of hepatitis carriers [1] and is essential for outbreak analysis [2] and differentiation between acute and chronic forms of the disease [3].
LMS-based enhancement for IR images with applications to surveillance

In this paper, a new strategy is presented to map the pixel space from infrared (IR) image to the pixel space of optical images. This is done by utilizing the usual technique of system identification using the input-output measurements and trying to fit a parametric model under a given fitness criterion. In this case, the IR image is taken as the input data and a similar image taken simultaneously by a normal CCD camera is taken as the output data. The acquired data are then fitted with an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model in 1D under the H ∞ criterion which is the most robust and statistically less-dependent fitness criterion. The well known LMS algorithm can reach the H ∞ bounds under certain impositions. By structuring the given data to suite these impositions, the LMS algorithm is used to reach the optimal bound. This implies a faster convergence with better performance. The results have shown remarkable enhancement in the images and appears to be promising for the real-time applications.
Selection of inorganic-based draw solutions for forward osmosis applications

In this investigation, a protocol for the selection of optimal draw solutions for forward osmosis (FO) applications was developed and the protocol was used to determine the most appropriate draw solutions for specific FO applications using a currently available FO membrane. The protocol includes a desktop screening process and laboratory and modeling analyses. The desktop screening process resulted in 14 draw solutions suitable for FO applications. The 14 draw solutions were then tested in the laboratory to evaluate water flux and reverse salt diffusion through the FO membrane. Internal concentration polarization was found to lower both water flux and reverse salt diffusion by reducing the draw solution concentration at the interface between the support and dense layers of the membrane. Draw solution reconcentration was evaluated using reverse osmosis (RO) system design software. Analysis of experimental data and model results, combined with consideration of the costs associated with the FO and RO processes showed that a small group of seven draw solutions appeared to be the most suitable. The different characteristics of these draw solutions highlighted the importance of considering the specific FO application and membrane types being used prior to selecting the most appropriate draw solution.
Determination of longitudinal optical mode frequencies by polarized specular reflectance infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Accurate longitudinal optical mode frequencies have been determined for a variety of polycrystalline inorganic materials employing simple specular reflectance techniques with polarized i.r. radiation. Longitudinal optical and transverse optical frequencies determined for ZnO, CaO, MgO, NaNO 3 and NaClO 3 are in excellent agreement with literature values. The methods employed should be generally applicable to polycrystalline inorganic and organic materials.
The Effects of Test Conditions on MOS Radiation-Hardness Results

It is well known that the bias value applied between the gate and substrate can have a significant effect on the threshold voltage shift of MOS transistors under gamma irradiation. However, not so well known are the facts that the bias configuration of the source and drain during the irradiation also can have a significant effect on the threshold voltage shift measured, as can the bias condition applied between the times of irradiation and threshold voltage measurements. An alternating bias (between "ON" and "OFF" states) applied to the gate during irradiation need not give threshold voltage shifts intermediate between those for the two DC bias conditions. In this paper, we present data demonstrating the importance of these effects and discuss their implications with regards to specifications and techniques for radiation-hardness testing.
Peptide Substrate Specificity and Properties of the zinc-endopeptidase Activity of Botulinum Type B Neurotoxin

Clostridium botulinum type B neurotoxin has been shown to be a zinc endopeptidase specific for vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP). A synthetic peptide of human/rat VAMP-2 [VAMP-2-(60-94)] is cleaved by the neurotoxin with the same specificity as that demonstrated for the membrane-associated protein (at the Gln76-Phe77 bond) and has been used to study the properties of the endopeptidase activity of the neurotoxin. Cleavage of the VAMP-2 peptide was demonstrated by both botulinum type B neurotoxin (Km = 3.3 x 10(-4) M) and by its purified light subunit (Km = 3.5 x 10(-4) M). The endopeptidase displayed a pH optimum of 7.0-7.5 and was inhibited by greater than 0.2 M NaCl and greater than 0.05 M sodium phosphate. Neurotoxin which had been inactivated by dialysis against EDTA could be re-activated by incubation with various divalent cations, notably Zn2+ and Cu2+. The substrate specificity of botulinum type B neurotoxin was studied using various analogues of VAMP-2 (60-94). The neurotoxin cleaved selectively to the N-terminal side of phenylalanine and tyrosine; no activity was observed with either leucine, valine or alanine in the P'1 position. The properties of the P1 amino acid were less critical; the neurotoxin cleaving the C-terminus of glutamine, asparagine and alanine. A substrate analogue with valine in the P1 position corresponding to the sequence of rat VAMP-1 was not cleaved. The rate of cleavage of a substrate analogue representing the sequence of human VAMP-1, however, was more than twofold that of the VAMP-2 peptide. The properties and substrate specificity of botulinum type B neurotoxin suggest that the toxin represents a novel class of endopeptidase which requires a specific peptide substrate conformation for the expression of proteolytic activity.
Species delimitation in North American species of Armillaria as measured by DNA reassociation

The relatedness among biological species in Armillaria was explored using DNA reassociation experiments. Forty strains including nine of the ten reproductively isolated NABS (North American biological species) were used in the study. All of the biological species have significant levels of DNA sequence similarity with each other. Four major DNA sequence similarity clusters were found. The first includes A. calvescens, A. gallica, A. sinapina , NABS IX and NABS X; the second includes A. mellea , with 17 isolates; the third includes A. gemina and A. ostoyae ; and the fourth includes A. tabescens , which is the most distant with about 30% similarity with the other taxa. The results are discussed in regard to the relationships estimated by rRNA RFLP data.
Scientific Status of Disciplines, Individuals, and Ideas: Empirical Analyses of the Potential Impact of Theory:

The place of theory in scientific research can be subjected to empirical investigation. This possibility is illustrated by examining three issues. First, what determines a scientific discipline's p...
Language competence and the construction of expert–novice in NS–NNS interaction

Abstract This study explores the interactional achievement of expert–novice in NS–NNS interaction. The analysis identifies interactional processes that contribute to expert–novice differentiation during team meetings that take place as part of an electrical and computer engineering course. Through analysis of data from the team interaction, participant perspectives, and ethnographic context, it is demonstrated that the NS takes on an expert identity, while the NNS takes on a novice identity as the NS and NNS engage in face-to-face interaction with each other. This expert–novice differentiation specifically occurs through the process of ratification, failure to ratify, and rejection of contributions. The NS's ability to gain expert status is linked to prior access to opportunities to participate in engineering teams and the forms of talk involved therein, which the NNS did not have access to. Conclusions indicate that this expert–novice relationship is not inherent to the NS–NNS relationship but that novice linguistically based identity has a bearing on the achievement of an expert non-linguistically based identity.
Melancholy, ghostliness and economy in the short fiction of Amit Chaudhuri

This essay examines the motifs of melancholy, fantasy and economy in Amit Chaudhuri’s short fiction, and ultimately links them together existentially as a postcolonial symptom (and strategy) of an India whose increasing commodification of daily life is increasingly transforming culture into an appendage of capital. In a manner reminiscent of the sociologist Bourdieu’s terminology, Chaudhuri’s stories depict an urban India whose individuals are constantly struggling to convert their cultural/symbolic/social capital into its desired symbolic equivalent. The sadness springs from an awareness that these economic systems of recognition and conversion also offer consciousness and existence: in a post‐metaphysical world, to move outside them cannot involve the comforts of religion and tradition for Chaudhuri’s characters, and yet it is precisely this space which Chaudhuri seeks. Amit Chaudhuri’s time in England, narrated in Afternoon Raag, is interpreted as a Weberesque moment of disenchantment: his trip to the ...
Presynaptic muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

IN the isolated rabbit heart, acetylcholine inhibits the release of noradrenaline evoked by nicotinic drugs1, by KCl (ref. 2) and by sympathetic nerve stimulation3. The release of noradrenaline in response to sympathetic nerve stimulation in the rabbit heart was found to be reduced by para-sympathomimetic agonists, and atropine antagonised this effect of cholinergic drugs. Loffelholz and Muscholl3 therefore suggested that the inhibitory effect of acetylcholine on catecholamine release is mediated by the interaction of acetylcholine with the muscarinic cholinergic receptors located at the terminals of sympathetic nerve fibres. Several workers, using the perfused rat mesenteric arteries and the perfused rabbit ear artery, demonstrated that low concentrations of acetylcholine inhibit the vasoconstrictor response to sympathetic nerve stimulation4–6, and atropine also antagonises the inhibitory effects of these cholinergic drugs in a competitive manner7. Thus, there is considerable indirect physiological evidence for the existence of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the sympathetic nerve endings. In this report, we provide direct biochemical evidence suggesting the presence of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the peripheral catecholaminergic nerve endings in the rat myocardium.
Developing and Implementing a Simple, Affordable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Laboratory in Introductory Chemistry.

A simple, affordable hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell laboratory was developed through a collaborative effort between faculty and undergraduate students at Brown University. It has been incorporated into the introductory chemistry curriculum and successfully implemented in a class of over 500 students per academic year for over 3 years. This laboratory involves a PEM fuel cell that uses hydrogen gas to power a small cell phone vibrator and a model car. The lab highlights electrochemical and thermodynamic concepts while illuminating how hydrogen fuel cells generate clean energy without polluting the environment. Hydrogen fuel is generated by the in situ electrolysis of water, and the chemical energy of the fuel and oxidant is then converted into electrical energy that can do work. A circuit board with a mini cell phone vibrator and a resistor built onto a model fuel cell car enables students to make a series of electrical measurements in addition to observing the car or mini cell phone vib...
Electrophoretic Studies on the Serum Proteins of Turkeys I. The Composition of Normal Turkey Serum

Abstract DURING the past fifteen years hundreds of publications have appeared dealing with electrophoresis in its different aspects. The electrophoretic diagrams of a number of animal sera have been presented by many investigators. When comparing the electrophoretic patterns of various animal sera it is noticed that they vary widely both in regard to the number of distinct components and in relation to the relative proportion of each component. However, they all contain the same main components, which are serum albumin, alpha-globulin, beta-globulin and gamma-globulin, as was found originally by Tiselius (1937) in human serum. As no references were available pertaining to any earlier electrophoretic studies on turkey serum, the purpose of this initial study is to present data on normal electrophoretic patterns for turkey sera. PROCEDURES Twenty-nine, four- to six-month old, Broad Breasted Bronze turkey toms were obtained from a U. S. Pullorum-Clean source. Several of these birds were to be …
Effects of transient carrier transport in millimeter-wave GaAs diodes

Effects of transient carrier transport on the performance of millimeter-wave GaAs diodes are investigated using results obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport. Transit-time devices (such as IMPATT's and TUNNETT's) are discussed first. Mechanisms by which transient effects in the drifting charge pulse may enhance or degrade performance are identified and discussed. Attention is then focused on electron transport in the undepleted epitaxial material which will be present in mixer and varactor diodes and may be present in transit-time diodes. The frequency and signal-level dependence of the conductance of such material is calculated and the implications for device performance are discussed.
Interpreting the unculturable majority.

New methods are necessary for the analysis and interpretation of massive amounts of metagenomic data.
Epstein-Barr virus induced hepatitis: An important cause of cholestasis.

Abstract Introduction: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection frequently involves the liver, presenting as elevations in transaminases. EBV infection associated hepatitis, presenting with hyperbilirubinemia is rare. We describe a case of infectious mononucleosis that presented with cholestatasis, and summarize 23 cases from the literature to categorize this increasingly recognized clinical spectrum of EBV infection induced cholestatic hepatitis. Methods: We conducted an extensive literature review of all cases of EBV in pediatric and adult literature with cholestatasis using MEDLINE and EMBASE. We also included information on one case from our institution. Results: We identified 24 cases. Median age was 20 years (range 1–72 years), with 14 (58%) females. On presentation, fever (72%), jaundice (67%) and splenomegaly (62%) were the most common signs. Laboratory data revealed the median asparate aminotransferase (AST), or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was 179 IU/L (range 56–2518 IU/L), median serum bilirubin level 12.6 mg/dL (range 2.2–47.5 mg/dL) and median alkaline phosphatase level 749 IU/L (range 31–3105 IU/L). Diagnosis was confirmed using EBV viral capsid antigen IgM in 20 (83%) patients. HIV testing was done in 7 (29%) of the cases, and was negative. One patient died from the illness, while full recovery was reported in all other cases, with median follow-up of 30 days (range 5–180 days). Conclusions: Cholestatasis is associated with EBV infection, and should be part of the differential diagnosis in all age groups, presenting with hyperbilirubinemia.
Hemolytic Anemia Due to Progressive Enlargement of Silastic Ball Component of Aortic Prosthesis

The patient described developed hemolytic anemia following insertion of a Starr-Edwards aortic valve prosthesis. No diastolic murmur was heard and no insufficiency was detected. The hemolytic anemia was progressively more severe and uncompensated despite various medical measures. The anemia was characterized by fragmented erythrocytes in the peripheral blood, reticulocytosis, elevation of plasma heme pigments augmented by exercise, increased fecal urobilinogen, and iron loss in the urine. Studies of chromium-51-tagged erythrocytes indicated an extracorpuscular mechanism of hemolysis. At reoperation the ball component of the prosthesis was found to be enlarged and obstructing blood flow. Chemical analysis of the ball showed significant cholesterol and lipid deposits. The hemolysis disappeared after the prosthesis was replaced with a homograft valve. Ferrokinetic studies showed rapid plasma clearance and incorporation into circulating erythrocytes. Triglycerides were elevated during the period of hemolysis....
The BioCAT undulator beamline 18ID: a facility for biological non-crystalline diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Advanced Photon Source

The 18ID undulator beamline of the Biophysics Collaborative Access Team at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne, IL, USA, is a high-performance instrument designed for, and dedicated to, the study of partially ordered and disordered biological materials using the techniques of small-angle X-ray scattering, fiber diffraction, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The beamline and associated instrumentation are described in detail and examples of the representative experimental results are presented.