cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human A2A Adenosine Receptors: High-Affinity Agonist Binding to Receptor-G Protein Complexes Containing Gβ4

Agonists bind with higher affinity to G protein-coupled heptahelical receptors than to uncoupled receptors. Recombinant A1 and A3 adenosine receptors couple well to Gi/o, but recombinant human A2A adenosine receptors (hA2AAR) couple poorly to Gs and bind agonists with Ki values in binding assays that are much higher than ED50 values for functional responses such as coronary dilation and inhibition of neutrophil oxidative burst. In this study, we produced hA2AAR-G protein complexes in membranes derived from Sf9 cells quadruply infected with receptors and heterotrimeric G protein subunits. The composition of Gβ markedly influences coupling such that A2AAR-αsβ1γ2 are 8 ± 2% coupled whereas equivalently expressed A2AAR-αsβ4γ2 are 40 ± 2% coupled. Hence, we were able for the first time to accurately measure high-affinity agonist binding to hA2AAR. The agonist 2-[2-(4-amino-3-[125I]iodophenyl)ethylamino]adenosine binds to coupled and uncoupled hA2AAR withKD values of 0.46 nM and 26 nM, respectively, a difference in affinity of 57-fold. The addition of GTPγS converts all receptors to the low-affinity state. A2AAR coupling does not influence binding of antagonists including,125I-4-(2-[7-amino-2-[2-furyl][1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)phenol (125I-ZM241385), KD = 0.5 nM. Based on a comparison of high-affinity binding sites,N6-3-iodo-2-chlorobenzyladenosine-5′-N-methyluronamide is only 8-fold A3 selective (A2AKi, H = 18.3 ± 3.2 nM; A3 Ki, H = 2.4 ± 0.3 nM) and 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine is only 33-fold A1 selective (A2AKi, H = 11.0 ± 1.9; A1 Ki, H = 0.3 ± 0.1). We conclude that recombinant hA2AAR can form a high-affinity receptor-G protein complex with αsβ4γ2 that is useful for determining receptor selectivity.
Reduced-order methodologies for feedback control of particle size distribution in semi-batch emulsion copolymerization

Within-batch feedback control strategies are developed for the regulation of the particle size distribution (PSD) in a semibatch vinyl acetate (VAc)/butyl acrylate (BuA) emulsion copolymerization system. These strategies are also applicable for regulation of distributions in other particulate systems governed by population balances. In the first strategy, PID controllers are employed for regulating nucleation and growth events through tracking the nominal trajectories of total number of particles and the solids content by manipulating the feed-rates of the more reactive monomer, BuA, and the surfactant. The second control strategy is based on tracking nominal trajectories of the moments of the distribution with a quadratic dynamic matrix controller (QDMC). To determine the appropriate number of moments to describe the PSD during various stages of a nominal batch, a maximum-entropy approach is utilized. In the final and most complex approach, a nonlinear model predictive controller is designed utilizing the detailed population balance model of the system. The ill-conditioning resulting from the high-dimensionality of the resulting dynamical system is removed by principal component analysis (PCA)-based model order reduction and a multi-rate estimator is designed to compensate for the measurement delay associated with the PSD measurements.
The induction of suppressor T cells by lipopolysaccharide in human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures in the presence of fetal calf serum.

Abstract Stimulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) requires human serum and helper T cells. When PBL were cultured in medium containing fetal calf serum (FCS), not only did LPS-induced mitogenesis fail to occur but responses were significantly below control levels. We have investigated the mechanism by which LPS inhibits mitogenesis in cultures with FCS. Cell separation and reconstitution experiments showed that in the presence of FCS, LPS induced suppressor T cells which could suppress stimulation of PBL. In addition to suppressing stimulation by LPS, these suppressor T cells were also capable of suppressing mitogenic responses to FCS, phytohemagglutinin, and concanavalin A but not to pokeweed mitogen. The suppressor function was resistant to irradiation with 3000 rad. Under different culture conditions LPS may induce either helper or suppressor T cells which in turn may determine whether stimulation or inhibition of mitogenesis occurs.
Lymphocyte-Derived Cytokines Augment Macrophage Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin-6 Secretion during Experimental Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis

Abstract Although lymphocyte-derived cytokines are known to augment macrophage cytokine production in vitro, their effect on macrophage tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion during gram-negative bacterial sepsis has not been characterized. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of lymphocyte-derived cytokines on macrophage TNFα and IL-6 secretion during gram-negative bacterial peritonitis. To examine this problem, uninfected and infected mice were studied. Mice were infected with Escherichia coli 0111:B4 and two subgroups were examined consisting of those pretreated iv 1 hr prior to bacterial challenge with either (1) saline or (2) anti-E. coli 0111:B4 LPS mAb 2A3, the latter administered to abrogate the effects of LPS in vivo. Thus, three groups of mice were studied in relation to pretreatment and infectious challenges: (1) saline/saline (control); (2) saline/E. coli (saline); and (3) mAb 2A3/E. coli (mAb 2A3). Nonadherent splenocytes (>95% lymphocytes by histologic staining criteria) harvested 16 hr later from mice in each group were incubated in culture ex vivo for 3 hr to obtain supernatants containing lymphocyte-derived cytokines. These supernatants containing lymphocyte-derived cytokines then were incubated in vitro with naive splenic macrophages with or without E. coli 0111:B4 LPS. Macrophage TNF-α and IL-6 levels were determined using L929 and B9 bioassays. Lymphocyte-derived cytokines obtained 16 hr after infection from mice pretreated with saline significantly stimulated TNF-α and IL-6 secretion compared to those obtained from uninfected mice (TNF-α, 525 ± 67 pg/ml versus 16 ± 03 pg/ml, P
Online conductivity and stability in the emulsion polymerization of N‐butyl methacrylate: Nonreactive versus reactive systems

Two different types of conductivity probes, that is, a torroidal probe and a resistance probe, were used as online sensors to monitor conductivity during the course of emulsion polymerizations of n-butyl methacrylate (BMA). These measurements were first applied to a nonreactive system, but the results showed that this method cannot be used to monitor latex stability in this system. Batch emulsion polymerizations of BMA were then carried out using different concentrations (0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 7.8 mM) of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as surfactant. The profiles of the two conductivity curves changed with the variation of the SLS concentration. Because deposition of polymers on the surfaces of the electrodes of the resistance probe can reduce the measured conductivity values obtained from this probe (R) such that they are lower than the true values, as measured by the torroidal probe (T), the final conductivity ratio (R/T) between the two conductivity curves was chosen as a parameter to correlate the conductivity measurements to latex stability, which was estimated using blender tests and turbidity measurements. A linear relationship between them was found, indicating that the online conductivity measurements could be used to predict latex stability in the BMA emulsion polymerization system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Nitrogen‐15 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NH proton exchange reactions of urea and substituted ureas

Proton-coupled nitrogen-15 NMR spectra of urea, N-methylurea, N,-N′-dimethylurea, N-methyl-N′-benzylurea and N-phenylurea have been obtained at natural abundance level in neutral, basic and acidic solutions at 25°C. Base-catalyzed NH proton exchange of the NH2 group of N-methylurea in water was found to be 1.5 times faster than that for the -NH- group, while the corresponding acid-catalyzed exchange is 7.5 times faster. Comparison of urea and N,-N′-dimethylurea in water shows urea to be 10 times faster in base but 2 times slower in acid. The ratio of the base-catalyzed NH proton exchanges of the two -NH- groups of N-methyl-N′-benzylurea in dimethyl sulfoxide is close to unity, whereas the CH3NH- group exchanges 4 times faster in acid. Similarly, the C6H5NH- group of N-methyl-N′-phenylurea exchanges 50 times faster than the CH3NH- group in base and about 3 orders of magnitude slower in acid. The results are rationalized by consideration of steric and electronic effects.
2,8,10,11-tetrachloro-12-oxahexacyclo-[7.2.1.02,8.03,7.04,11.06,10]dodeca-1,9-diol and disorder and mixed crystals in a system of tetracyclo-[6.3.0.04,11.05,9]undecanone and undecanol derivatives

2,8,10,11-Tetrachloro-12-oxahexacyclo[7,2.1.02.8.03.7.04.11.06.10]dodeca-1,9-diol is a strained cage molecule containing six five-membered rings and a four-membered ring. Twenty-five of the internal angles are less than 105° with 6 ranging from 89.5(3) to 97.4(3)°. The base promoted reaction of 3,6-dipyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine with tetracyclo[6.3.0.04.11.05.9]undecane-3,6-dione yields the monoketone 6,7-[3′,6′-di(2″-pyridyl)-4′,5′-pyridizino]tetracyclo[6.3.0.04.11.05.9]-undecan-2-one. This compound crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group P21/n with enantiomers related by a center of symmetry. In the crystal investigated the molecules are disordered with each site containing about 80% of one isomer and 20% of the enantiomer. When the ketone is hydrogenated and the product isolated, two different crystals were found to have a ratio of alcohol to ketone of .71/.29 and .75/.25 or about 3/1. The alcohol and ketone occupy the same sites, but with opposite stereochemistries.
Persistence of Depression in African American and Caucasian Women at Midlife: Findings from the Study of Women Across the Nation (SWAN)

This study prospectively examined the course of depression in African American and Caucasian midlife women over an 11-year period. Racial differences in lifetime history of depression, severity of depressive symptoms and rates of depressive disorders at baseline, and persistence or recurrence of depression over an 11 year period were examined. Predictors of persistence/recurrence of depression were also examined. The sample was comprised of 423 midlife women enrolled in the Study of Women Across the Nation (SWAN) Mental Health Study (MHS). All participants completed baseline and annual assessments, which included self-reported measures of health, functioning, and psychosocial factors, and clinician administered assessments of psychiatric disorders. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of depression persistence/recurrence. Findings indicated that African American and Caucasian women did not differ significantly in rates of lifetime and baseline depressive disorders, or severity of depressive symptoms. Annual assessments revealed no significant differences between the groups in rates of persistent/recurrent depression. While African American and Caucasian women do not differ in recurrence of depression at midlife, factors associated with depression differed by race.
Barriers to Mental Health Care Access in an African American Population

Emphasis has been placed on understanding the mental health disparities that exist within minority populations in the United States. Disparities are of particular importance when examining access to services. This paper reports findings from a NINR-funded qualitative study that examined the barriers to mental health care service use in an African American low-income population. Barriers were identified at three levels--Individual, Environmental, and Institutional. Fourteen barrier categories were identified within those levels with three categories common to the majority of participants. The identified categories provide insight into the process of seeking services within this population and provide direction for future investigation.
Latency Hiding and Performance Tuning with Graph-Based Execution

In the current practice, scientific programmer and HPC users are required todevelop code that exposes a high degree of parallelism, exhibits high locality,dynamically adapts to the available resources, and hides communication latency.Hiding communication latency is crucial to realize the potential of today'sdistributed memory machines with highly parallel processing modules, andtechnological trends indicate that communication latencies will continue to bean issue as the performance gap between computation and communication widens.However, under Bulk Synchronous Parallel models, the predominant paradigm inscientific computing, scheduling is embedded into the application code. All thephases of a computation are defined and laid out as a linear sequence ofoperations limiting overlap and the program's ability to adapt to communicationdelays.In this paper we present an alternative model, called Tarragon, to overcome thelimitations of Bulk Synchronous Parallelism. Tarragon, which is based ondataflow, targets latency tolerant scientific computations. Tarragon supports atask-dependency graph abstraction in which tasks, the basic unit ofcomputation, are organized as a graph according to their data dependencies,i.e. task precedence. In addition to the task graph, Tarragon supports metadataabstractions, annotations to the task graph, to express locality informationand scheduling policies to improve performance.Tarragon's functionality and underlying programming methodology aredemonstrated on three classes of computations used in scientific domains:structured grids, sparse linear algebra, and dynamic programming. In theapplication studies, Tarragon implementations achieve high performance, in manycases exceeding the performance of equivalent latency-tolerant, hard coded MPIimplementations.
Serum proteins in undernourished sinclair (S-1) miniature swine

Summary 1. Sinclair(S-1) miniature swine were fed ad libitum either a 16% (control) or a 4% (undernourished) protein diet from 9 weeks of age until sacrificed. Two males and 2 females, from each dietary group, were sacrificed after 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 or 32 weeks on test. Also, 2 males and 2 females were sacrificed at the initiation of the experiment. Serum total protein, albumin, α -globulin, β -globulin, γ -globulin, glutamic-oxaloacetic (OT) transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were assayed from blood samples collected biweekly. 2. For the undernourished pigs, mean serum total protein and albumin concentrations decreased initially; however, levels stabilized later in the study. Mean serum total protein and albumin concentrations were lower for the undernourished pigs than for the controls from 2 through 32 weeks. 3. From 4 through 32 weeks on test, the undernourished pigs had more serum total globulin, as a per cent of total protein, than did the control pigs. Mean serum β -globulin concentration was lower for the pigs fed the low protein diet than for the controls; however, there was no difference in mean per cent β -globulin between the 2 groups. From 8 through 32 weeks on test, mean OT and LDH activities were greater for undernourished than for the control pigs; however, there were no differences in mean serum AP activities between the 2 groups.
Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and Its Ligands in Non-Neoplastic and Neoplastic Human Urothelial Cells

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors and is expressed in several types of tissue. Although PPARγ reportedly is expressed in normal urothelium, its function is unknown. We examined the expression of PPARγ in normal urothelium and bladder cancer in an attempt to assess its functional role. Immunohistochemical staining revealed normal urothelium to express PPARγ uniformly. All low-grade carcinomas were positive either diffusely or focally, whereas staining was primarily focal or absent in high-grade carcinomas. A nonneoplastic urothelial cell line (1T-1), a low-grade (RT4) carcinoma cell line, and two high-grade (T24 and 253J) carcinoma cell lines in culture expressed PPARγ mRNA and protein. Luciferase assay indicated that PPARγ was functional. PPARγ ligands (15-deoxy-Δ 12,14 -prostaglandin J 2 , troglitazone and pioglitazone) suppressed the growth of nonneoplastic and neoplastic urothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, neoplastic cells were more resistant than were nonneoplastic cells. Failure to express PPARγ or ineffective transcriptional activity may be some of the mechanisms responsible for resistance to the inhibitory action of PPARγ ligands.
Kinetic Model for the ATP-Dependent Translocation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RSC along Double-Stranded DNA†

The chromatin remodeling complex RSC from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a DNA translocase that moves with directionality along double-stranded DNA in a reaction that is coupled to ATP hydrolysis. To better understand how this basic molecular motor functions, a novel method of analysis has been developed to study the kinetics of RSC translocation along double-stranded DNA. The data provided are consistent with RSC translocation occurring through a series of repeating uniform steps with an overall processivity of P = 0.949 ± 0.003; this processivity corresponds to an average translocation distance of 20 ± 1 base pairs (bp) before dissociation. Interestingly, a slow initiation process, following DNA binding, is required to make RSC competent for DNA translocation. These results are further discussed in the context of previously published studies of RSC and other DNA translocases.
Neural network-based multimode fiber-optic information transmission

A new technique for transmitting information through multimode fiber-optic cables is presented. This technique sends parallel channels through the fiber-optic cable, thereby greatly improving the data transmission rate compared with that of the current technology, which uses serial data transmission through single-mode fiber. An artificial neural network is employed to decipher the transmitted information from the received speckle pattern. Several different preprocessing algorithms are developed, tested, and evaluated. These algorithms employ average region intensity, distributed individual pixel intensity, and maximum mean-square-difference optimal group selection methods. The effect of modal dispersion on the data rate is analyzed. An increased data transmission rate by a factor of 37 over that of single-mode fibers is realized. When implementing our technique, we can increase the channel capacity of a typical multimode fiber by a factor of 6.
Timing Noise Characterization of High-Speed Digital Bit Sequences Using Incoherent Subsampling and Algorithmic Clock Recovery

In this paper, we exploit a software-based nonreal-time signal acquisition technique to enable high-precision jitter characterization of multi-Gb/s pseudorandom bit sequences (PRBSs) with minimal hardware support. For signal acquisition, incoherent subsampling is employed to increase the effective sampling rate of a digitizer and to simplify its signal acquisition architecture by removing the need for timing synchronization circuits. As a substitute for hardware synchronization circuits, the multiple stages of discrete frequency estimation algorithm, called algorithmic clock recovery (CR), are used. Using the frequency estimate obtained from the proposed algorithmic CR allows us to digitally reconstruct an incoherently subsampled PRBS into a single period of the signal in the discrete-time-domain. The proposed algorithmic CR is accurate and robust, especially in the presence of signal noise and multiple aliased distortions as compared with previously published approaches. In addition, the proposed all-digital jitter characterization technique (including self-reference signal extraction) enables data-dependent jitter separation without using the tail-fitting of a jitter histogram.
Health Care Reform — Past and Future

The demise of federal legislation to reform our health care system has frustrated the hopes (or quieted the fears) of millions of Americans. Nevertheless, the problems of our health care system persist, and efforts to reform it will proceed at several levels.1 In the aftermath of the Republicans' resounding victory in the 1994 congressional elections, the private marketplace and, to a lesser extent, state governments seem likely to lead such efforts, but their ability to address problems of access to care — and its costs — is limited. The important role of the federal government in health care reform is . . .
Visual processing and learning disorders.

Purpose of review Many children are seen by ophthalmologists because of scholastic difficulties in school initially attributed to eyesight when, in fact, the problem often is a result of a disorder of the brain processing vision. A number of neuropsychological conditions predisposing and affecting children with learning disorders will be described. Visual processing is the main brain function allowing normal perception of what is being viewed. Ophthalmologists as well as patients must realize that with normal 20/20 eyesight interpretation of what is seen may be dysfunctional because of faulty brain processing of that which is seen by normal eyes. Abnormal Visual Processing as well as auditory processing disorders eventually lead directly to learning disorders in children and young adults. Recent findings New Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of children with attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) have been established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. An overgrowth of neurons in the prefrontal cortex of children with autism has recently been discovered. Six out of 1000 children have been reported as having Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), which is another name for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A number of alternative treatments for ASD have recently been published. The families of autistic children have increased emotional and financial burdens, often affecting the workplace. Summary Recent neuropsychology discoveries have helped in the prevention, evaluation and treatment of children with visual processing and learning disorders. Quality-of-life and educational efficiency therefore can be improved.
An "introduction to computing" experiment that failed

In 1975 the University of North Carolina at Wilmington began offering an undergraduate degree program in Computer Science. At that time an experiment was begun to let students essentially choose their own introductory programming language. This was accomplished by having one language-independent lecture course and several accompanying language laboratories from which students could choose. How the implementation was carried out; its level of acceptance by majors, non-majors, and faculty; and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
Main-group-element calix[4]arenes: variable coordination and conformational isomerism at phosphorus and silicon.

Treatment of calix[4]arene (1b) with trichloromethylsilane yields two conformers of calix[4]SiMe(OH), the cone 2b-C and the partial cone 2b-PC. These are isolated and structurally characterized, an...
Uranium isotopic signatures measured in samples of dirt collected at two former uranium facilities

Nuclear forensics is a multidisciplinary science that uses a variety of analytical methods and tools to explore the physical, chemical, and isotopic characteristics of nuclear and radiological materials. These characteristics, when evaluated alone or in combination, become signatures that may reveal how and when the material was fabricated. The signatures contained in samples of dirt collected at two different uranium metal processing facilities in the United States were evaluated to determine uranium isotopic composition and compare results with processes that were conducted at these sites. One site refined uranium and fabricated uranium metal ingots for fuel and targets and the other site rolled hot forged uranium and other metals into dimensional rods. Unique signatures were found that are consistent with the activities and processes conducted at each facility and establish confidence in using these characteristics to reveal the provenance of other materials that exhibit similar signatures.
Titanium serum and urine levels in rabbits with a titanium implant in the absence of wear

Although devices made of titanium and its alloy with 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium have been remarkably successful primarily in orthopaedic and dental applications, clinical reports have implicated the biological response to released metal from this class of metals as a cause of failure. It is our hypothesis that in the absence of wear, the amount of titanium released is small and will preferentially accumulate in local tissues. One important implication of this is that measurable quantities of titanium in serum and urine that have been observed in clinical studies result from mechanically induced or assisted release phenomena. In order to test this hypothesis, titanium levels in various tissues and fluids of animals both with and without titanium implants need to be determined. In this paper, we report the titanium concentration in serum and urine of rabbits in the absence of wear. Titanium fibre felts were implanted into the tibia of rabbits. At various time points, serum and urine samples were collected from these rabbits as well as from two groups of control rabbits. The samples were analysed for titanium concentration using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The data for the implant group show that titanium levels in serum and urine do not increase in comparison to controls up to one year after implantation. Some clinical studies have documented elevated titanium serum and urine levels in the presence of titanium-based prostheses. The different results from these studies can be resolved by considering titanium release mechanisms other than passive dissolution.
Buoyancy and ventilation in Aedes aegypti (L.) pupae (Diptera: Culicidae).

Various aspects of buoyancy in Aedes aegypti (L.) pupae were studied. Gas in the ventral air space is necessary for a pupa to be buoyant and maintain its normal position at the air-water interface. Pupae, under conditions of forced submergence, and commonly spontaneously, lose their buoyancy and reach or exceed the density of water. Contact with the atmosphere usually results in an immediate recovery of buoyancy. These changes in buoyancy are considered to be caused by changes in volume and/or gas pressure in the tracheal system. An hypothetical explanation for the observed changes in buoyancy is presented and aspects of the functional and adaptive significance of buoyancy and changes in buoyancy are discussed.
Biodegradation of 3-chlorobenzoate and formation of black color in the presence and absence of benzoate

Four isolates of Pseudomonas from soil and sewage utilized 3-chlorobenzoate (3-CBA) adaptively as sole source of carbon and energy. Two of these were studied in detail. Their doubling times in batch culture were about twice as long on chlorobenzoate as on benzoate or glucose. Both isolates showed oxygen uptake on catechol, without lag, when grown on either benzoate or 3-CBA. One strain, designated Pseudomonas H1, could oxidize a key intermediate, 4-chlorocatechol, only when grown on 3-CBA. Pseudomonas H2 could oxidize the chlorocatechol not only when grown on 3-CBA but also when grown on benzoate. Benzoate-adapted P. H1 therefore accumulated chlorocatechols when incubated with a mixture of 3-CBA and benzoate, whereas P. H2 under the same conditions did not. The accumulated chlorocatechols inhibited further oxygen uptake, and in alkaline media they polymerized to a black, melanin-like pigment. Intense black pigment, similar to that formed by P. I, was formed if raw sewage was incubated with a mixture of 3-CBA and benzoate. The pigment was not formed if the sewage was first adapted by incubation with 3-CBA.
“Two Jews walk into a Coffeehouse”: the “Jewish question,” utility, and political participation in late eighteenth-century Livorno

This article examines the distinct ways in which the Jewish condition was perceived during the Enlightenment in the port city of Livorno, arguing that the privileged status of certain mercantile Jewish communities could be a force for conservatism and not necessarily a trigger of emancipation. On the basis of literary and governmental sources, including the little-known ironic philosophical dialogue Les Juifs (Livorno, 1786), and an analysis of Tuscan municipal reforms, it appears that Livorno offers an alternative model of integration to the better-known Prussian and French cases. The Tuscan government and intellectual elite did not consider the useful Livornese minority in need either “to be improved” or better “integrated into society,” and thus the Enlightenment critiques of Jewish society typical of French and Prussian reformers and the calls for Jewish self-improvement that characterized the Haskalah are not applicable to Livorno. However, the notion of utility that defined the Livornese community during the Old Regime was not a station on the road to emancipation. Jewish utility in Livorno did not bring about greater civil rights for individual Livornese Jews. Rather in both function and perception, it contributed to the arrested political integration of Livornese Jewry in the 1780s compared to events in all other Tuscan Jewish communities
‘In the safety of your own home’: results from a national survey on gun use at home

In the US, guns, particularly handguns, are typically brought into the home for protection. The wisdom of having a firearm in the home, however, is disputed. While guns appear to be a risk factor for family homicide, suicide and unintentional firearm fatality, no evidence has been available about gun use at home to intimidate family members and little about gun use to thwart crimes by intruders, or about the use of other weapons in home self-defense. Over the past decade, various private surveys have asked questions about the respondent's use of guns in self-defense. None, however, has asked detailed questions about the use of guns to threaten or intimidate the respondent. This study presents results from a national random digit dial telephone survey of 1906 US adults conducted in the spring of 1996. Respondents were asked about hostile gun displays and use of guns and other weapons in self-defense at home in the past five years. The objective of the survey was to assess the relative frequency and characteristics of weapons-related events at home. Thirteen respondents reported that a gun was displayed against them at home, two reported using a gun in self-defense at home, and 24 reported using another weapon (e.g. knife, baseball bat) in home self-defense. While we do not always know whose weapon was used in these incidents, most gun brandishings were by male intimates against women. A gun in the home can be used against family members or intruders and can be used not only to kill and wound, but to intimidate and frighten. This small study provides some evidence that guns may be used at least as often by family members to frighten intimates as to thwart crime, and that other weapons are far more commonly used against intruders than are guns.
Determinants of attenuated LH-release associated with the first ovulation of the equine breeding season

Abstract An attenuated ovulatory rise in circulating concentrations of LH is characteristically associated with the first seasonal reproductive cycle of horse mares. Unlike ovulations (OV) of subsequent estrous cycles, the first OV of the breeding season (OV1) is not preceded by elevated concentrations of progesterone (PROG). Hence, the ability of pretreatment with PROG to abolish attenuation of LH-secretion associated with OV1 was investigated. Ten nonpregnant anestrous mares were randomly divided into 2 groups; control (C) and treated (T). Per individual, when diameter of the largest follicle was consistently ≥ 35 mm, C mares received 3 times daily injections of cottonseed oil (IM), for 15 d or until OV, while T mares received exogenous PROG (IM) for 15 d, in a manner designed to mimic a diestrous pattern of release. Jugular blood samples were collected daily from onset of treatment through 10 d following the third OV (OV3). Repeated measures analyses of area under the ovulatory LH-rise (AUC) and the maximum concentration of LH associated with OV (MAX) revealed a significant main effect of OV (P To evaluate the influence of hypothalamic-hypophyseal recrudescence on ovulatory LH-release at OV1, 16 mares were bred to foal, and subsequently initiate reproductive activity, early (E; mid April; n=8) or late (L; mid July; n=8) in the year. A significant OV (1, 2 or 3) by group (E or L) interaction was observed for AUC (P .4). Based on these data, we suggest that attenuation of the LH-rise at OV1 in the mare, is a consequence of incomplete recrudescence of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
Role of defects in two-dimensional phase transitions: An STM study of the Sn/Ge(111) system

The influence of Ge substitutional defects and vacancies on the $(\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3})$$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3)$ charge-density wave phase transition in the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ phase of Sn on Ge(111) has been studied using a variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. Above 105 K, Ge substitutional defects stabilize regions with $(3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3)$ symmetry that grow with decreasing temperature and can be described by a superposition of exponentially damped waves. At low temperatures, $Tl~105\mathrm{K}$ defect-defect density-wave-mediated interactions force an alignment of the defects onto a honeycomb sublattice that supports the low-temperature $(3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3)$ phase. This defect-mediated phase transition is completely reversible. The length scales involved in this defect-defect interaction dictate the domain size $(\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{4} {\mathrm{\AA{}}\mathrm{}}^{2}).$
The Role of Evaluation in Research-Practice Integration: Working Toward the "Golden Spike

Program evaluation and planning is at the heart of efforts to integrate the domains of practice and research. Traditionally, research and practice have operated in independent spheres with practitioners focused on the implementation of programs that affect individual behavior and researchers focused on the development and testing of theory. Evidence-based practice (EBP), practice-based evidence, and translational research have attempted to unite these worlds, and although significant advances have been made, there is a continued need to find mechanisms that enable a seamless connection between knowledge generation and application. We propose a method that builds on the traditions of theory-driven evaluation, logic modeling, and systems science and uses evaluation and program planning as the bridging mechanism between research and practice. Included in this approach are methods that aid in the explicit expression of implicit theories, management of evaluation resources, and linkage of program theory and ev...
Current investigational drugs in psoriasis.

Introduction : The advent of biologic therapies has revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis. Increased understanding of immunogenetic pathways has allowed for the development of more selective targeted biologic therapies. Multiple new treatments are currently in development for the treatment of psoriasis. Preliminary data for many of these agents, particularly with regard to agents targeting the IL-23/Th17 pathway, are promising. Proven long-term safety, however, is an absolute necessity with newly developed drugs, and should, therefore, still be considered second-line agents to current established treatments with long-term safety data. Areas covered : This review details the mechanisms of action of drugs currently in development or in clinical trials for the treatment of psoriasis, using clinical trial registries and associated publications. Readers will gain a comprehensive overview about the mechanism of action of emerging treatments targeting various immune pathways deeply involved in psoriasis. Pat...
A Memetic Algorithm for Matching Spatial Configurations With the Histograms of Forces

In this paper, we present an approach for modeling and comparing small sets of 2-D objects based on their spatial relationships. This situation can arise in the conflation of a hand- or machine-drafted map to a satellite image, or in the correspondence problem of matching two images taken under different viewing conditions. We focus on the specific problem of matching a sketched map containing several 2-D objects to hand-segmented satellite imagery. We define a similarity measure between the spatial configurations of two object sets, which uses attributed relational graphs to represent scene information. Objects are represented as graph nodes and edges are defined by the histograms of forces between object pairs. We develop a memetic algorithm based on a (μ+λ) evolution strategy to solve this scene-matching problem with three domain-specific local search operators that are compared experimentally.
Computational Characterization of Energetic Salts

Using the experimental (or calculated) values for densities, a combination of theoretical and empirical calculations are powerful tools in predicting heats of formation of energetic salts. The heats of formation of cations and anions and lattice energies were calculated separately based on Born−Haber energy cycles. In this paper, 119 energetic salts were calculated. Heats of formation coupled with densities can be used further for predicting the detonation pressures and velocities and specific impulses of energetic salts. This method provides a straightforward and inexpensive route to screen large numbers of energetic salts
The role of renal water channels in health and disease

Seven members of the aquaporin (AQP) family are expressed in different regions of the kidney. AQP1-4 are localized in plasma membranes of renal epithelial cells and are intimately involved in water reabsorption by the kidney. AQP7 is also localized in the plasma membrane and may facilitate glycerol transport. AQP6 and AQP11 are localized within the cell, with AQP6 involved in anion transport and AQP11 water transport. Mutations in AQP2 can result in diabetes insipidus, whereas mutations in other AQPs have not yet been shown to be disease-associated. Genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility to defects in urine concentrating mechanisms associated with some diseases. Most of the AQPs are subject to transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications by a range of biological modifiers. As a result a number of chronic kidney and systemic diseases produce changes in the abundance of AQPs. The more recent developments in this field are reviewed.
APC/CCdc20 Controls the Ubiquitin-Mediated Degradation of p21 in Prometaphase

Summary During the G1/S transition, p21 proteolysis is mediated by Skp2; however, p21 reaccumulates in G2 and is degraded again in prometaphase. How p21 degradation is controlled in mitosis remains unexplored. We found that Cdc20 (an activator of the ubiquitin ligase APC/C) binds p21 in cultured cells and identified a D box motif in p21 necessary for APC/C Cdc20 -mediated ubiquitylation of p21. Overexpression of Cdc20 or Skp2 destabilized wild-type p21; however, only Skp2, but not Cdc20, was able to destabilize a p21(D box) mutant. Silencing of Cdc20 induced an accumulation of p21, increased the fraction of p21 bound to Cdk1, and inhibited Cdk1 activity in p21 +/+ prometaphase cells, but not in p21 −/− cells. Thus, in prometaphase Cdc20 positively regulates Cdk1 by mediating the degradation of p21. We propose that the APC/C Cdc20 -mediated degradation of p21 contributes to the full activation of Cdk1 necessary for mitotic events and prevents mitotic slippage during spindle checkpoint activation.
Intersection of Stress, Social Disadvantage, and Life Course Processes: Reframing Trauma and Mental Health

This paper describes the intersection of converging lines of research on the social structural, psychosocial, and physiological factors involved in the production of stress and implications for the field of mental health. Of particular interest are the stress sensitization consequences stemming from exposure to adversity over the life course. Contemporary stress sensitization theory provides important clinical utility in articulating mechanisms through which these multiple levels exert influence on mental health. Stress sensitization models (a) extend understanding of neurobiological and functional contexts within which extreme stressors operate and (b) make clear how these can influence psychologically traumatic outcomes. The value of interventions that are sensitive to current contexts as well as life course profiles of cumulative stress are illustrated through recent treatment innovations.
The Effect of Ticket Resale Laws on Consumption and Production in Performing Arts Markets

Although most economists assume that ticket scalping is efficient, existing theoretical models make ambiguous predictions of the effect of ticket resale on production and attendance. This study uses variation in state and municipal laws to examine whether prohibiting or restricting resale has a positive or negative impact on consumer attendance and producer entry into arts markets. Our results show that restrictions on resale prices and license requirements stimulate attendance in performing arts events, but decrease the number of unique productions. This suggests that consumers value regulation that restricts prices and requires licensing for resellers over greater variety in productions.
Improved methods for creating migratable Holliday junction substrates

Previously, we published a method for creating a novel DNA substrate, the double Holliday junction substrate. This substrate contains two Holliday junctions that are mobile, topologically constrained and separated by a distance comparable with conversion tract lengths. Although useful for studying late stage homologous recombination in vitro, construction of the substrate requires significant effort. In particular, there are three bottlenecks: (i) production of large quantities of single-stranded DNA; (ii) the loss of a significant portion of the DNA following the recombination step; and (iii) the loss of DNA owing to inefficient gel extraction. To address these limitations, we have made the following changes to the protocol: (i) use of a helper plasmid, rather than exogenous helper phage, to produce single-stranded DNA; (ii) use of the unidirectional ϕC31 integrase system in place of the bidirectional Cre recombinase reaction; and (iii) gel extraction by DNA diffusion. Here, we describe the changes made to the materials and methods and characterize the substrates that can be produced, including migratable single Holliday junctions, hemicatenanes and a quadruple Holliday junction substrate.
The proteolytic environment of chronic wounds

A consistent feature of chronic leg and pressure ulcers is chronic inflammation associated with an elevated infiltration of neutrophils. Neutrophils and their proteases have been implicated in mediating the tissue damage associated with a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases. This review discusses our current understanding of the proteolytic enzymes found in chronic wounds and attempts to relate this information to the abundant presence of neutrophils. In addition, the implications that the proteolytic environment may have for current and future treatment strategies of chronic nonhealing wounds are discussed.
Natural history and age at onset of hereditary breast cancer.

Hereditary breast cancer (HBC) is noteworthy for certain unique facets of its natural history and heterogeneity. Interfamily heterogeneity in age at initial breast cancer diagnosis was investigated in 217 family members with HBC. The mean age at diagnosis was 44.9 years (standard deviation ± 12.5 years). A one-way analysis of variance in ages at diagnosis, using the family as a random effect factor, indicated that between-family differences were significant (P < 0.002) and accounted for approximately 18% of the variance in ages at diagnosis. A subset of families with HBC was characterized by an extraordinarily early onset of breast cancer. A knowledge of the natural history of HBC with particular attention to age at onset allows for the development of more accurately targeted surveillance, genetic counselling, and management strategies. Cancer 1992; 69:1404-1407.
The Computer Understanding and Experience Scale: a self-report measure of computer experience

After reviewing past approaches towards measuring computer experience, the development and pilot test (N=279) of the Computer Understanding and Experience (CUE) Scale is described. Results suggest that the CUE Scale provides an internally consistent, self-report measure which may be subdivided into two related subscales. Support for the construct validity of the CUE Scale is also provided.
Model of precipitation and vertical air currents

Time-dependent moist columnar convection is numerically modeled; a version of Priestley's 1953 study of dry elements in a turbulent environment is combined with Kessler's 1969 treatment of the distribution of water substance in atmospheric circulations. Solutions are given of simultaneous equations for the vertical velocity, buoyancy, and cloud and precipitation content, in an air column moving under buoyancy and subject to rainout and continuous mixing of heat, momentum and moisture with ambient air. The velocity regime of the model depends on parameters of environmental lapse rate, moisture content, and the size and amplitude of an initiating disturbance. The model admits damped Brunt-Vaisala oscillations, condensation oscillations, and steady state updrafts of three kinds. Great changes of the solutions from one type to another occur as parameters cross thresholds determined by values of other parameters. Relationships among coupled periodic variations and steady state values of condensed water, precipitation rate, buoyancy and vertical velocity of air are analyzed in depth and with reference to microphysical processes. In the model, a definite horizontal size and perturbation buoyancy must be exceeded for sustained moist convection to accompany a given conditionally unstable lapse rate and ambient moisture condition. This leads to consideration of boundary-layer properties related to the geographical and diurnal variability of thunderstorms. It is proposed that strong static instability within the boundary layer tends to inhibit thunderstorm development because an unstable layer does not sustain large wave disturbances which may be essential to initiate deep convection and because the small scale convection promoted by strong boundary layer instability dissipates some of the energy that would otherwise remain available for deep convection. A number of other storm characteristics find plausible explanations within the framework of the theory, and some studies are suggested for its evaluation and improvement. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01631.x