cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cam Interaction and Binding Mode Study with Peptide from Intracellular Loop of Cx50

Connexin 50 (Cx50) is a member of the α family of gap junction proteins expressed in the lens of the eye where it has been shown to be essential for normal lens development. We have identified calmodulin (CaM) binding sites in the intracellular loop near to the 3rd transmembrane region of Connexin43 (Cx43) and Connexin44 (Cx44) which belong to the same α connexin family as Cx50. Sequence alignment of the candidate CaM binding regions of Cx43 and Cx44, with Cx50 identified a region encompassing residues 141-166 of Cx50 with a high predicted affinity for CaM. A peptide Cx50141-166 was synthesized to study the interaction of CaM with this domain of Cx50. Biophysical results indicate that in the presence of Ca2+, Cx50141-166 binds with high affinity (0.14 μM) to CaM, as monitored by NMR spectroscopy and measured by the fluorescence intensity change of IAEDANS that was covalently attached to the C-terminal Cys of CaM. Electrophysiological data support the hypothesis that elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration inhibits Cx50 gap junctions because omission of Ca2+ from the 1 μM ionomycin bath saline prevented the 95% decline in junctional conductance (gj) observed in the presence of 1.8 mM CaCl2. This is likely CaM-mediated, because inclusion of a CaM inhibitor also prevented this Ca2+-dependent inhibition of Cx50 gap junctions. The involvement of the Cx50 CaM binding domain in this Ca2+/CaM-dependent regulation was further demonstrated by inclusion ofthe Cx50141-166 peptide in both whole cell patch pipettes, which effectively prevented the usual decrease in Cx50 gj. These results demonstrate that the binding of Ca2+ -CaM to the intracellular loop of Cx50 is critical for mediating the Ca2+-dependent inhibition of Cx50 gap junctions in the lens of the eye.
Acoustically Forced Oscillations of Gas Bubbles in Liquids

An analytical method is developed to calculate both the amplitude and phase of an oscillating bubble in a liquid subjected to an acoustic field. Thermal conduction, viscosity, surface tension, and liquid compressibility are all taken into account. Analytical solutions, which are valid for small-amplitude oscillations, are also obtained for the temperature, density and velocity of the gas inside the bubbles. The mean bubble size and acoustic frequency which give the resonat amplitudes of pulsating bubbles are disclosed.
Lymphatic absorption from the peritoneal cavity: Regulation of patency of mesothelial stomata

Abstract Absorption of fluid from the peritoneal cavity is carried out by terminal lymphatics, called lacunae, located in the diaphragm. Lacunae communicate with the peritoneal cavity via stomatal openings between mesothelial cells that lead into channels formed by juxtaposed processes of mesothelial and lacunar endothelial cells. We examined the patency of stomata under conditions of drug-induced relaxation or contraction of the diaphragm, increased intraabdominal pressure, and experimental ascites caused by intraperitoneal infection with Toxoplasma gondii. We observed numerous patent stomata when the diaphragm is relaxed and when intraabdominal pressure is raised. When the diaphragm is contracted we observed either few of no patent stomata. Ascites accompanying peritoneal parasitic infection resulted in “hypertrophy” of mesothelial cells and fewer patent stomata. We then examined the means for regulating the patency of stomata and the conformation of endothelial flaps that extend across the lumen of channels. Using the technique of decoration of actin with the S1 subfragment of myosin, we identified numerous actin filaments in the cytoplasm of mesothelial and endothelial cells that border stomata and form channels. Treatment in situ of the diaphragm with cytochalasin D resulted in pronounced deformation of mesothelial cells overlying lymphatic lacunae and endothelial cells that line channels. The deformation was reversed after cytochalasin D was washed away with n-saline. Our findings indicate that the patency of mesothelial stomata can vary in response to changing conditions in the peritoneal cavity. They also indicate that maintenance of the normal conformation of stomata and channels and perhaps control of the patency of stomata as well rely upon actin components in the cytoplasm of mesothelial and endothelial cells.
Death receptor-mediated apoptosis and the liver.

1. IntroductionLiver injury and ﬁbrosis are both cardinal features ofchronic human liver diseases. The composite mechanismsculminating in these processes are complex and intertwined.Apoptosis, a stereotyped morphologic form of cell death,however, likely plays a critical role both in liver injury andits sequela, ﬁbrosis. More importantly, therapeutic modula-tion of apoptosis has the potential to alter the course ofhuman liver disease. Therefore, it is both timely and topicalto provide an overview on apoptosis focusing on the liver.Unlike other reviews [1–3], this overview will not attempt toprovide a comprehensive and encylcopedical repository ofinformation on liver cell apoptosis. Rather, the interplay ofapoptosis in human liver diseases will be emphasized, andcurrent-working models of apoptosis in liver injury will bedelineated. At times, this article will hopefully be visionaryand provocative highlighting areas ripe for future investiga-tion and clinical studies/trials.Apoptosis may occur by two fundamental pathways: (i)the death receptor (DR) or extrinsic pathway; and (ii) themitochondrial or intrinsic pathway. The DR pathwayinvolves ligation and/or oligomerization of cell surfacereceptors to trigger the apoptotic pathway. Liver cells richlyexpress DRs, perhaps because of evolutionary pressure toeradicate hepatotropic viruses. Indeed, immunocytes useDR-mediated apoptosis, in part, to eradicate virally infectedcells. In contrast, the mitochondrial pathway is triggered bya variety of intracellular stress responses (DNA damage,changes of intracellular Ca
Predicting Dysplasia and Invasive Carcinoma in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas: Development of a Preoperative Nomogram

Clinical decision making for patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas is challenging. Even with strict criteria for resection, most resected lesions lack high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or invasive carcinoma. We evaluated patients who underwent resection of histologically confirmed IPMN and had preoperative imaging available for review. A hepatobiliary radiologist blinded to histopathologic subtype reviewed preoperative imaging and recorded cyst characteristics. Patients with mixed-type IPMN were grouped with main-duct lesions for this analysis. Based on an ordinal logistic regression model, we devised two independent nomograms to predict the findings of adenoma, high-grade dysplasia (HGD–CIS), and invasive carcinoma, separately in both main and branch-duct IPMN. Bootstrap validation was used to evaluate the performance of these models, and a concordance index was derived from this internal validation. There were 219 patients who met criteria for this study. Branch-duct IPMN (bdIPMN) comprised 56 % of the resected lesions. The proportion of HGD–CIS was 15 % for bdIPMN and 33 % for main-duct lesions (mdIPMN); P = 0.003. Invasive carcinoma was identified in 15 % of bdIPMN and 41 % of main-duct lesions (P < 0.001). On multivariate regression, patient gender, history of prior malignancy, presence of solid component, and weight loss were found to be significantly associated with the ordinal outcome for patients with mdIPMN and built into the nomogram (concordance index 0.74). For patients with bdIPMN weight loss, solid component, and lesion diameter were associated with the outcome; (concordance index 0.74). Based on the analysis of patients selected for resection, two nomograms were created that predict a patient’s individual likelihood of harboring HGD or invasive malignancy in radiologically diagnosed IPMN. External validation is ongoing.
Characterization of an acyl-CoA-binding protein from Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract A cDNA clone was obtained fromArabidopsis thalianathat encodes a protein containing 92 amino acid residues with high sequence identity (57%) to bovine acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP). The coding sequence of this clone was expressed inEscherichia coliand the gene product (10.4 kDa) was purified. The recombinantA. thalianaACBP (rAthACBP) was shown to bind acyl-CoA esters and protect acyl-CoAs from degradation by microsomal acyl-hydrolases. Antibodies that were raised to rAthACBP recognized the nativeArabidopsisACBP and also cross-reacted with a number of other plant ACBPs, including rapeseed (Brassica napus) ACBP. The pattern of expression and level of the gene product were examined in various tissues ofArabidopsisandBrassicausing Western blotting.A. thalianatissues contained between 3 and 143 μg AthACBP g−1FW depending on the tissue (0.4 to 14 nmol g−1FW). DevelopingB. napusseeds underwent a 12-fold increase in ACBP levels during seed maturation (20 to 250 μg ACBP g−1FW); the highest concentration occurring near the peak of triacylglycerol accumulation (26 nmol g−1FW).
Toxoplasma gondii: differentiation and death of bradyzoites.

The living parasites inToxoplasma cysts cannot be eradicated by current therapy and maintain latent infections for many years. Relatively little is known about encystedToxoplasma. We therefore undertook studies using mice infected with the avirulent ME 49 strain ofToxoplasma. The bradyzoites in young (12- to 17-day-old) cysts contained the same organelles as did tachyzoites. The bradyzoites of older cysts (4 weeks postinoculation) had differentiated, losing certain organelles and acquiring others. Our major new finding was that in animals inoculated ≥4 weeks previously, some bradyzoites were totally disrupted, splling their contents (perhaps including lytic substances) into the cyst matrix. Many older bradyzoites in the same cysts lacked internal membranes and their viability was questionable, but there were also occasional parasites resembling viable tachyzoites and mature bradyzoites, organisms that might possibly initiate daughter cyst formation after cyst rupture. The life span of an individual bradyzoite may be shorter than formerly appreciated despite the prolonged course of latent infections.
Reactivities of Mouse Monoclonal Antibody K2.7 to Renal Cancers in Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity and Antibody Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity

AbstractImmunohistochemical analysis by indirect immunoperoxidase staining demonstrated that monoclonal antibody (mAb) K2.7, derived from a mouse immunized with a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell line OS-RC-2, reacted with 89 of 95 renal cancer tissues (94 percent). Only 1 gastric and uterine cancer tissue showed positive staining among 87 cancer specimens from 9 different organs. Among normal human tissues, the renal tubule, testis, epithelium of the uterine endometrial gland and Fallopian tube, grey matter of cerebrum and cerebellum, and foreskin showed positive staining. Serological analysis by protein A mixed hemadsorption (PA) assay demonstrated that mAb K2.7 reacted with 25 of 31 RCC cell lines (81 percent), but with only 2 of 50 other cell lines from different organs.The specific antitumor activities of mAb K2.7 against RCC cell lines were investigated in vitro by complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays. In the CDC assay, all of the 9 R...
Herpes simplex virus transcriptional activator VP16 is detrimental to preimplantation development in mice.

The herpes simplex virus transactivator protein VP16 is frequently used to regulate gene expression in several experimental systems, including transgenic mice. It has been suggested that high levels of VP16 expression in mice may be lethal. In order to systematically address this issue, we linked the VP16 gene to promoters that are active early and in a variety of tissues throughout development, such as the human beta-actin promoter or the rat nestin gene enhancer. VP16 expression was assayed using a LacZ reporter gene linked to a VP16-responsive immediate early gene promoter. We show here that expression of VP16 at high levels is detrimental to pre-implantation development. By culturing embryos in vitro, we demonstrate that this effect is exerted at the transition from the 2-cell to the 4-cell stage, reducing survival to the blastocyst stage dramatically. On the other hand, transgenic mice expressing VP16 transgenes at postimplantation stages are viable. These results suggest a differential sensitivity to VP16 expression in different cell types and stages of development. The reduction of embryo survival by VP16 implicates herpes virus infection as a potential cause of infertility.
A note on reverse competition and the Martha Stewart sentencing

This study notes that the light sentence for insider trading that resulted in a nearly 37% gain for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. also may have been responsible for a small but significant average loss for industry rivals on the sentencing date. The sentence that was ‘good’ news for Martha was also ‘bad’ news for her competitors on the sentencing date.
From Product to Service: The Diffusion of Dynamic Content in Online Newspapers

This study documents a steady increase in dynamic journalism on the Web sites of twenty-four U.S. newspapers, including a sharp rise in 2006 of multimedia elements, particularly video. This trend was particularly apparent for newspapers in our sample with print circulation between 100,000 and 120,000. While traditional news categories are the most common source of dynamic content, the growth over time is coming from coverage of weather, sports, crime, and accidents. There also appears to be a rise in hourly updating of softer news.
Can social engagement prevent cognitive decline in old age

In this issue, Bassuk and colleagues report modest associations between social ties and cognitive decline in elderly persons. Decline in elderly persons is complex and multifactorial; at best, medi...
Unsteady Simulations for an Advanced-Louver Cooling Scheme

The performance of a louver cooling scheme on a flat plate was analyzed using Detached Eddy Simulation. It was assumed that the louver cooling scheme was tested in a wind tunnel with the mainstream flow velocity of 20 m/s, equivalent to a Reynolds number of 16200 based on the jet diameter. Turbulence closure was achieved by a Realizable k-e based DES turbulence model. Solutions of two blowing ratios of 0.5 and 1 were successfully obtained by running parallel on 16 nodes on a computer cluster. The instantaneous flow fields were found to be highly unsteady and oscillatory in nature. It is shown that the fluctuations in the adiabatic effectiveness are mainly caused by the spanwise fluctuation of the coolant jet and the unsteady vortical structures created by the interaction of the jet and the mainstream.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Inhibition of the links between electron transfer and proton translocation in mitochondria.

The mechanism by which proton extrusion is linked to electron transfer in mitochondria was investigated by means of the primary amine-specific reagent fluorescamine, and of compounds obtained from the reaction of fluorescamine with simple amines (e.g. benzylamine) and with the mycosamine-containing antibiotic amphotericin B. The effect of these ‘modifiers’ (i.e. fluorescamine and the acyclic amine-fluorescamine compounds) on the activities of sites II and III of the electron transfer chain were assayed separately using specific inhibitors to block the action associated with the other site. Both types of modifiers inhibited the proton extrusion across the membrane to a significantly greater extent than the electron transfer process in both sites II and III. In contrast, the lactone derivative (or cyclic form) of the amine-fluorescamine compounds had no significant inhibitory effect on the proton extrusion and its associated electron transfer. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the link between proton extrusion and electron transfer in mitochondria is indirect in nature. The results show that: (a) the links involved in sites II and III are identical or very similar in nature; (b) a covalent modification of primary amino groups in the inner membrane is not essential for the expression of these differential inhibitory effects; (c) specific structural features in the amine-fluorescamine compounds, and in the mitochondria-fluorescamine derivatives, are crucial for the expression of the inhibitory effects. Our results contradict the ‘redox loop’ model of Mitchell, and are compatible with the proton pump concept for the linked proton translocation in oxidative phosphorylation.
Extra embryos: The ethics of cryopreservation in Ecuador and elsewhere

Through ethnographic comparison with Ecuador, I localize North American and European ethical debates about embryos. In Ecuador, some in vitro fertilization (IVF) practitioners and patients do whatever they can to preserve the life of embryos through donation or cryopreservation. For this group, embryos are embroiled in debates about life, as they commonly are in North America. However, other Ecuadorians do not view embryos through debates about life. Instead, these IVF practitioners and patients let embryos die rather than freeze them, to regulate the legitimate bounds of kin relations. These contrasting models of life ethics and kin ethics illuminate ideologies of religion, kinship, and personhood in Ecuador. In addition, this comparison demonstrates that the location of embryos in a framework of kinship prevents their circulation and exchange, whereas the North American and European debates about the human life of embryos allow for their continued circulation in the globalized reproductive marketplace.
DNMT1 is regulated by ATP-citrate lyase and maintains methylation patterns during adipocyte differentiation

During adipocyte differentiation, significant epigenomic changes occur in association with the implementation of the adipogenic program. We have previously shown that histone acetylation increases during differentiation in a manner dependent on acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) production by the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase (ACL). Whether ACL regulates nuclear targets in addition to histones during differentiation is not clear. In this study, we report that DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) levels in adipocytes are controlled in part by ACL and that silencing of DNMT1 can accelerate adipocyte differentiation. DNMT1 gene expression is induced early in 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation during mitotic clonal expansion and is critical for maintenance of DNA and histone H3K9 methylation patterns during this period. In the absence of DNMT1, adipocyte-specific gene expression and lipid accumulation occur precociously. Later in differentiation, DNMT1 levels decline in an ACL-dependent manner. ACL-mediated suppression of DNMT1 occurs at least in part by promoting expression of microRNA 148a (miR-148a), which represses DNMT1. Ectopic expression of miR-148a accelerates differentiation under standard conditions and can partially rescue a hypermethylation-mediated differentiation block. The data suggest a role for DNMT1 in modulating the timing of differentiation and describe a novel ACL-miR-148a-dependent mechanism for regulating DNMT1 during adipogenesis.
Do Contrastingly Colored Unripe Fruits of the Neotropical Tree Ardisia nigropunctata Attract Avian Seed Dispersers

Visual cues in fruit displays from foliage, accessory structures, and ripe fruit color are known to be important in attracting bird seed dispersers to ripe fruit, but the role of color in unripe fruit has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we tested the effects of unripe fruit presence and fruit abundance by offering fruit of a Neotropical tree, Ardisia nigropunctata (Myrsinaceae), in bunches of mixed unripe and ripe fruit and bunches of all-ripe fruit. Additionally, foraging bird species identification and behavior information was collected. Contrary to expectation, birds removed more fruit from all-ripe bunches with the most fruit than from contrastingly colored fruit bunches. We therefore discuss alternate explanations for unripe fruit colors in mixed bunches. RESUMEN Las senales visuales tales como exhibiciones del follaje de la fruta, estructuras accesorias, y el color de la fruta madura son reconocidas como elementos importantes para la atraccion de pajaros dispersores de semilla de la fruta madura. Sin embargo el papel del color de la fruta inmadura no ha sido estudiado a fondo. En este estudio se evaluaron los efectos de la presencia y abundancia de la fruta inmadura, utilizando fruta del arbol neotropical, Ardisia nigropunctata (Myrsinaceae). Los arboles de A. nigropunctata contenian ramas mixtas formadas por fruta madura en inmadura, al igual que ramas cuya fruta en su totalidad estaba madura. Adicionalmente, se realizo una identificacion de especies de pajaros forrajeros y se registro informacion sobre su comportamiento. Contrario a las expectativas, los resultados mostraron como los pajaros extrajeron mas fruta de las ramas que tenian toda la fruta madura que de las ramas que poseian colores de fruta contrastantes. Por lo tanto se discuten las explicaciones alternas para los colores de la fruta inmadura en ramas mixtas.
Understanding the Ecology of Blue Elderberry to Inform Landscape Restoration in Semiarid River Corridors

Societal constraints often limit full process restoration in large river systems, making local rehabilitation activities valuable for regeneration of riparian vegetation. A target of much mitigation and restoration is the federally threatened Valley elderberry longhorn beetle and its sole host plant, blue elderberry, in upper riparian floodplain environments. However, blue elderberry ecology is not well understood and restoration attempts typically have low success rates. We determined broad-scale habitat characteristics of elderberry in altered systems and examined associated plant species composition in remnant habitat. We quantified vegetation community composition in 139 remnant riparian forest patches along the Sacramento River and elderberry stem diameters along this and four adjacent rivers. The greatest proportion of plots containing elderberry was located on higher and older floodplain surfaces and in riparian woodlands dominated by black walnut. Blue elderberry saplings and shrubs with stems <5.0 cm in diameter were rare, suggesting a lack of recruitment. A complex suite of vegetation was associated with blue elderberry, including several invasive species which are potentially outcompeting seedlings for light, water, or other resources. Such lack of recruitment places increased importance on horticultural restoration for the survival of an imperiled species. These findings further indicate a need to ascertain whether intervention is necessary to maintain functional and diverse riparian woodlands, and a need to monitor vegetative species composition over time, especially in relation to flow regulation.
Labeling of developing vascular endothelium after injections of rhodamine-dextran into blastomeres of Xenopus laevis.

The goal of this work has been to label endothelial cells with flurescent marker and to record their behavior during angiogenesis in vivo. Single blastomeres in 16–128-cell-stage embryos of pigment-deficient Xenopus laevis were injected intracelluarly with 5% tetramethylrhodamine dextran. Subsequently, the embryos and tadpoles were examined with an epifluorescence microscope, a silicon-intensified target (SIT) camera, and video recordings. Clones that would include endothelium could be selected as early as stages 33–36 on the basis of heavy labeling in the ventral mesodermal core of the tail. Strands of fluorescent cells and early vessels appeared in the tail at stages 39–41. Subsequently, groups of endothelial cells were followed in case histories in the tail and in the aortic arches and gills of tadpoles. Two main results were that the patterns of fluorescent endothelial cells were stable in established arteries, veins, and capillaries for at least 2–12 days, and that labeled endothelial cells migrated distally in elongating sprouts. In addition, it was inferred that endothelium was derived from multiple blastomeres, probably in the ventral vegetal regions. Only small fractions of total endothelium were labeled from any single blastomere. None of the early blastomeres produced exclusive clones of vascular endothelium; other labeled cell types in various clones included muscle fibers, lymphatics, mesodermal stellate cells, blood cells, gut, proctodeum, and some epidermis, in addition to endothelial cells. The method of intracellular marking of blastomeres is recognized as a direct approach for charting lineage and fate tables in embryos of Xenopus and other species. The present study extends the period of observation in vivo for up to 2 weeks in the growing tadpole and focuses on endothelial cells during angiogenesis. Even though fluorescent dextran was apparently packaged in vesicles and metabolized, individual cells and small groups could be identified and followed with time. This method provides excellent opportunities for addressing problems in vascular development in the living animal.
Drug choices in autoimmune hepatitis: Part A – steroids

Prednisone and prednisolone are the mainstays of treatment for autoimmune hepatitis. Prednisone is converted in the liver to the active metabolite, prednisolone. The principal therapeutic action of prednisolone is to suppress cytokine gene expression and to inhibit the differentiation and proliferation of activated lymphocytes. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that include decreased production of adhesion molecules, increased apoptosis of lymphocytes and decreased hepatic collagen deposition. Advanced liver disease does not sufficiently suppress hepatic conversion of prednisone to warrant the preferential use of prednisolone. Budesonide combined with azathioprine has been more effective and safer than the conventional prednisone-based regimen when given for 6 months to treatment-naive patients. It is emerging as a frontline treatment, especially for noncirrhotic patients with uncomplicated disease.
Biomass, structure, and trophic environment of peatland vegetation in Minnesota

The structure of peatland vegetation in Minnesota is affected by trophic conditions, the soil-water regime, and the disturbance history. Trophic conditions have a major effect on the species composition. Structurally, this results in the exclusion of most tall shrubs, hardwood trees, and forbs from ombrotrophic sites and a greater biomass of mosses and ericad shrubs on those sites than on minerotrophic sites. Classification of peatland vegetation into physiognomic groups provides reasonable estimates of total aboveground biomass. Trophic conditionsper se, however, have a minor effect on aboveground biomass; on both ombrotrophic and minerotrophic peatlands, biomass increases from less than 10 Mg ha−1 on the wettest sites to over 100 Mg ha−1 on the driest, undisturbed sites. Peatland sites that have comparatively dry, well-aerated soils support dense forests if they have not recently been disturbed; shrubs dominate on those sites after disturbance. Excessively wet sites are dominated by mosses (particularly on ombrotrophic peatlands) or graminoids (on minerotrophic peatlands). On ombrotrophic sites, the relatively dry conditions that lead to higher tree and total biomass also lead to lower pH resulting in an inverse relationship between biomass and pH.
Preventive care in the emergency department: screening for domestic violence in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: The most effective methods for identification and management of domestic violence (DV) victims in health care settings are unknown. The objective of this study was to systematically review screening for DV in the emergency department (ED) to identify victims and decrease morbidity and mortality from DV. METHODS: Using the terms "domestic violence" or "partner violence," and "identification" or "screening," and "emergency," the authors searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database, and Emergency Medical Abstracts from 1980-2002. They selected articles studying screening tools, interventions, or determining the incidence or prevalence of DV among ED patients. The studies were analyzed using evidence-based methodology. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-nine articles resulted from the literature search. Based on selection criteria, 45 were reviewed in detail and 17 pertained to the ED. From references of these 17 articles, three additional articles were added. Screening can be conducted using a brief verbal screen and existing ED personnel. A randomized, controlled trial did not demonstrate a difference in screening rates between experimental and control hospitals. No studies assessed the effect of ED screening for DV on morbidity or mortality of domestic violence. An ED-based advocacy program resulted in increased use of shelters and counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the paucity of outcomes research evaluating ED screening and interventions, there is insufficient evidence for or against DV screening in the ED. However, because of the high burden of suffering caused by DV, health care providers should strongly consider routinely inquiring about DV as part of the history, at a minimum for all female adolescent and adult patients. Language: en
Further studies on the effect of ageing on β-adrenoceptor activity of rat aorta

Abstract β-Adrenoceptor activity of rat thoracic aorta decreased with the increasing age of the animal. The ability of aortas to relax to isoprenaline was completely lost when rats were 3-6 months old, depending on the source and strain of animals. NaNO2, however, completely relaxed aortic tissue from animals of all ages tested.
Risk factors for acute, moderate to severe donor reactions associated with multicomponent apheresis collections

BACKGROUND: Legitimate concerns exist over the safety of donors during multicomponent apheresis collections (MACs), when large volumes of red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma are removed. This study evaluates the predictive value of various donor- and procedure-related variables for moderate to severe donor acute adverse events (AAEs). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data on all apheresis donation procedures performed at a large university hospital–based donor center over a 2-year period were obtained by a review of adverse event forms and procedure logs (Trima Accel 5.1, Gambro BCT). Various donor- and procedure-related variables were compared between procedures that resulted in moderate to severe AAEs and those that did not. RESULTS: Moderate to severe AAEs occurred in 53 (0.47%) of 11,333 apheresis donation procedures. The majority of events (96.2%) had predominantly features of vasovagal reactions (VVRs). Females were at significantly higher risk (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8, p < 0.0003) compared to males. Donors who experienced AAEs had significantly lower predonation total blood volume (TBV) and hematocrit (Hct) and higher total RBC loss and net fluid loss at the end of the procedures. Total plasma loss alone was not significantly different between the two groups. Total blood loss was significantly higher among donors who experienced AAEs as a percentage of the donor's TBV. CONCLUSION: Apheresis collections are well tolerated even when multiple components are collected, with a very low overall incidence of moderate to severe AAEs (0.47%). Small, female donors with lower predonation Hct are at higher risk, especially when RBCs are collected.
Neighborhood environments and obesity among Afro-Caribbean, African American, and Non-Hispanic white adults in the United States: results from the National Survey of American Life.

Abstract Objective To examine possible associations between perceived neighborhood environments and obesity among a U.S. nationally representative sample of Afro-Caribbean, African American, and Non-Hispanic white adults. Methods Data was used from the 2001–2003 National Survey of American Life (NSAL). All measures including neighborhood characteristics, height, and weight were self-reported. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) based on perceived neighborhood physical and social characteristics. Results The odds of obesity were significantly lower for adults who reported involvement in clubs, associations, or help groups (odds ratio (OR): 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44, 0.85) and perceived that they had a park, playground, or open space in their neighborhood (odds ratio (OR): 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47, 0.98). These associations remained significant after adjusting for leisure-time physical activity. Race/ethnicity appeared to modify the association between involvement in clubs, associations, or help groups and obesity. Conclusions Providing parks, playgrounds, or open space or increasing the perception of those amenities may assist in the prevention of obesity, especially in ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the United States. More research is needed to investigate how perceptions of the neighborhood environment influence obesity and whether perceptions of the neighborhood environment differ between individuals within the same neighborhoods.
A versatile electrophoric derivatisation reagent for negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry: o-(pentafluorobenzyloxycarbonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoyl chloride

The synthesis of a novel electrophoric derivatisation reagent, o-(pentafluorobenzyloxycarbonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoyl chloride, is described. The reagent was tested against selected primary and secondary amino compounds, as well as phenolic and aliphatic hydroxyl compounds as analytical targets. The derivatives exhibit excellent mass spectral properties under negative ion chemical ionisation, i.e. reduced fragmentation and thus high ion current for the targeted m/z during analysis. Since the reagent bears a pentafluorobenzyl ester group, resulting negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectra were expectedly dominated by dissociative resonance electron capture typically observed with these compounds, additionally showing neutral loss of carbon dioxide and ammonia (in the case of primary amines). The reagent is suitable for detecting the target compounds with high sensitivity, as exemplified for the analysis of amphetamine and methylphenidate from human plasma where chromatographic background is drastically reduced by a shift in detected m/z and retention time and lower limits of quantification at 7.8 pg/mL (amphetamine) and 4.5 pg/mL (methylphenidate) can be obtained. The choice of two or three target quantification masses allows selective detection and adjustment of lowest background interference. No carryover effect was observed for the derivatives of amphetamine and methylphenidate.
Implications of scaling on static RAM bit cell stability and reliability

In order to lower manufacturing costs and increase performance, static random access memory (SRAM) bit cells are scaled progressively toward submicron geometries. The reliability of an SRAM is highly dependent on the bit cell stability. Smaller memory cells with less capacitance and restoring current make the array more susceptible to failures from defectivity, alpha hits, and other instabilities and leakage mechanisms. Improving long term reliability while migrating to higher density devices makes the task of building in and improving reliability increasingly difficult. Reliability requirements for high density SRAMs are very demanding with failure rates of less than 100 failures per billion device hours (100 FITs) being a common criteria. Design techniques for increasing bit cell stability and manufacturability must be implemented in order to build in this level of reliability. Several types of analyses are performed to benchmark the performance of the SRAM device. Examples of these analysis techniques which are presented here include DC parametric measurements of test structures, functional bit mapping of the circuit used to characterize the entire distribution of bits, electrical microprobing of weak and/or failing bits, and system and accelerated soft error rate measurements. These tests allow process and design improvements to be evaluated prior to implementation on the final product. These results are used to provide comprehensive bit cell characterization which can then be compared to device models and adjusted accordingly to provide optimized cell stability versus cell size for a particular technology. The result is designed in reliability which can be accomplished during the early stages of product development.
A Pulsation Mechanism for GW Virginis Variables

The mechanism that produces pulsations in the hottest pre-white dwarfs has been uncertain since the early work indicated that helium is a poison that smooths opacity bumps in the opacity-temperature plane caused by the ionizations of the large observed amounts of carbon and oxygen. Very little helium seemed to be needed to prevent the kappa effect pulsation driving, but helium amounts of almost half of the mass in the surface composition are observed in the pulsating PG 1159-035 stars called the GW Virginis variables. Rather little change in the C and O surface abundances is observed from the hottest (RX J2117.1+3412 at 170,000 K) to the coolest (PG 0122+200 at 80,000 K) GW Vir variables. Actually the shortest observed periods (300-400 s) of these variables are generally predicted to be unstable in all models, but the longest observed periods (up to 1000 s) are difficult to excite. Three recent investigations differ in their conclusions, with two finding that helium and even a slight amount of hydrogen does not prevent the kappa effect of C and O ionizations. A more detailed study reported here confirms the poisoning effect of helium. However, the ionization K- and L-edge opacity of the original iron, whose global abundance is unaffected by all previous evolution, especially if enhanced by radiation absorption levitation, can give different, previously unexplored, opacity driving that can explain the observed pulsations. But even this iron ionization driving can be somewhat poisoned by bump smoothing if the C and O abundances are large. Nonvariable GW Vir stars in the observed instability strip could be the result of small composition variations in the pulsation driving layers.
Quantum chemical study of the thermal decomposition of o-quinone methide (6-methylene-2,4-cyclohexadien-1-one).

o-Quinone methide (o-QM), or 6-methylene-2,4-cyclohexadiene-1-one, has been identified as an important intermediate in lignin and alkyl benzene combustion, and the thermal decomposition of o-QM is therefore relevant to the combustion of transportation fuels (which contain toluene) and of biomass and low-rank coals (which contain lignin). We present a comprehensive reaction mechanism for the unimolecular conversion of o-QM to the reaction intermediates tropone and fulvene, calculated using theoretical quantum chemical techniques. Enthalpies of formation for all reactants, products, and intermediates are calculated using the CBS-QB3 theoretical method. Transition states are determined with the CBS-QB3 method, which we use to obtain rate constants as a function of temperature from transition-state theory, with Wigner tunneling corrections applied to hydrogen-shift reactions. Barrier heights are also calculated with the BB1K density functional theory (DFT) method for thermochemical kinetics. Reaction pathways...
Honest Ethics for Engineers: A New, Realistic Approach to Teaching Ethics Codes

ABSTRACTThe teaching of ethics to engineering students is now mandated. Courses are centred around professional codes like the IEEE's (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer), not acknowledging that we operate in a grey area between the honest and the practical. This paper presents a new honest way in which ethics was taught at Michigan State University and lessons from that experience. Doing that liberated the teacher and students to grapple with real-life ethics issues. The codes are presented as ideals rather than absolute standards, teaching students to move towards the ideals. A social impact assessment exercise taught students to use honest estimates to reach useful conclusions in subjects where we lack competence. This exercise also teaches that data can be fiddled and fudged to support preconceived decisions. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is taught bringing out the need in working life to operate ethically even when we lack full competence. A case st...
Multiple plane-wave scattering analysis of light diffraction by parallel Raman-Nath and Bragg ultrasonic cells with arbitrary frequency ratios

A detailed analytical study of optical scattering from a parallel ultrasonic setup is presented in which an optical beam is scattered by a surface acoustic wave that acts as a Raman–Nath-type dynamic grating and the scattering is controlled and monitored by a bulk (Bragg) acousto-optic grating placed adjacent to the surface wave. To generalize this mixed configuration, we assume the two ultrasonic cells to have a frequency ratio p:q. The intensities of the final scattered orders of light are analyzed by a multiple plane-wave scattering formalism and plotted for varying frequency ratios, Q’s, and peak phase delays ( α^). Finally, a dynamic detection method is proposed for identifying the characteristics of a surface acoustic wave with the parallel ultrasonic technique.
Regulation of Co-repressive Activity of and HDAC Recruitment to RIP140 by Site-specific Phosphorylation

Receptor interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is a versatile transcriptional co-repressor that contains several autonomous repressive domains (RDs). The N-terminal RD acts by recruiting histone deacetylases (HDACs). In a comprehensive proteomic analysis of RIP140 by MS, 11 phosphorylation sites of RIP140 are identified; among them five sites are located in the N-terminal RD including Ser104, Thr202, Thr207, Ser358, and Ser380. The role of phosphorylation of RIP140 in regulating its biological activity and the underlying mechanism are examined using a site-directed mutagenesis approach. Mutations mimicking constitutive phosphorylation or dephosphorylation are introduced. The N-terminal RD phosphorylation, mediated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), enhances its repressive activity through increased recruitment of HDAC. Mutations mimicking constitutive dephosphorylation at Thr202 or Thr207 significantly impair its repressive activity and HDAC recruitment, whereas mutation at Ser358 only slightly affects its HDAC recruitment and the repressive activity. Consistently, mutations mimicking constitutive phosphorylation at either Thr202 or Thr207 convert RIP140 into a more potent repressor, which is less responsive to a disturbance in the MAPK system. Furthermore, constitutive phosphorylation at both Thr202 and Thr207 residues renders RIP140 fully repressive and strongly interacting with HDAC. The activity of this mutant is resistant to the MAPK inhibitor, indicating an essential role for Thr202 and Thr207 in MAPK-mediated modulation of RIP140 function. The study provides insights into the modulation of RIP140 biological activity through a specific cellular signaling pathway that augments phosphorylation at specific residues of RIP140 molecule and alters its cofactor recruitment.
Three-phase modeling for transient stability of large scale unbalanced distribution systems

The transient stability of a distribution system containing rotating machines is usually evaluated by considering a symmetrical disturbance applied to a balanced network. Hence, most, if not all, available algorithms and stability programs use the bus admittance matrix for the positive sequence only. However, a typical distribution system may contain untransposed feeders, single-and/or three-phase unbalanced static shunt loads, single-and/or three-phase dynamic loads (such as induction motors), co-generators, transformers and capacitor banks. Furthermore, even if the network is balanced, unsymmetrical faults introduce unbalance. The effects of unbalances on the transient behavior of a single induction motor in a two-bus system using simultaneous nodal voltage equations has been recently investigated. It was concluded that a significant error may occur by replacing an unbalanced shunt load by an averaged balanced load and by assuming an unbalanced feeder to be an equivalent balanced feeder. This paper extends the previous investigation to large scale networks using a generalized three-phase bus admittance matrix [Ybus] method which takes care of the unbalances referred to above. Developing the three-phase [Ybus] itself is not new, but the novelty of the proposed method lies in the combination of the three-phase [Ybus] with the dynamics of rotating machines in transient stability studies of large networks using step-by-step integration of nonlinear differential equations. The method utilizes phase frame representation of network and machine elements. In order to be general, the computer program allows the user to include synchronous generators, induction motors, transformers, feeders and static loads.
Minimization of the accumulated phase change at the input of SDH/SONET desynchronizers

The minimization of jitter and wander in transmission systems such as SDH/SONET networks has received a great deal of attention. Minimization techniques which may be employed in the synchronizer, pointer processor, and desynchronizer have been proposed. At the input to a desynchronizer in a classical SDH/SONET network, a large peak-to-peak value of the accumulated phase change exists. This is primarily caused by gapped effects such as the 32/35 effect when the network is transporting a VC-12. After reviewing the jitter and wander causing components in an SDH/SONET network, this paper proposes and evaluates a method that compensates for the 32/35 effect. This new method reduces the peak-to-peak accumulated phase change by more than 50% in the VC-12 case. This same technique may be applied to SDH/SONET networks transporting other VCs.
Complementary therapies in pediatrics: A legal perspective

Increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies such as chiropractic, massage therapy, and herbal medicine, raises questions about the clinically appropriate use of CAM in pediatrics. Nonjudicious use of CAM therapies may cause either direct harm or, by creating an unwarranted financial and emotional burden, indirect harm. When advising patients concerning CAM therapies, pediatricians face 2 major legal risks: medical malpractice and professional discipline. Pediatricians can incorporate these considerations into advising and clinical decision-making about CAM therapies to address the best interest of the pediatric patient while helping to manage potential liability risk. This article provides a suggested framework, including asking the following questions: (1) Do parents elect to abandon effective care when the child's condition is serious or life-threatening? (2) Will use of the CAM therapy otherwise divert the child from imminently necessary conventional treatment? (3) Are the CAM therapies selected known to be unsafe and/or ineffective? (4) Have the proper parties consented to the use of the CAM therapy? (5) Is the risk-benefit ratio of the proposed CAM therapy acceptable to a reasonable, similarly situated clinician, and does the therapy have at least minority acceptance or support in the medical literature? Such an approach ideally can help guide the pediatrician toward clinical conduct that is clinically responsible, ethically appropriate, and legally defensible.