cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 17: Biophysical Properties of Hemi-gap-junctional Channels Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes

Publisher Summary The biological significance of functional hemichannels is still not well understood. However, it is clear that in Xenopus oocytes, endogenous hemigap-junctional channels can make a significant contribution to the resting membrane conductance and cause cell depolarization at normal external calcium concentrations. The role of single hemichannels in the mammalian cells has not been examined in detail. One hypothesis is that these channels may be activated under certain pathological conditions and induce cell damage or death. Regardless of whether hemichannels play another role beyond that of being precursors in the formation of gap junctional channels, analysis of their gating properties may give valuable insights into the behavior of the junctional channels. One obvious technical advantage of studying hemichannels is that their single channel behavior can be directly examined using conventional patch clamp techniques. This chapter summarizes the biophysical studies that have been performed on hemi-gap-channels expressed in oocytes over the past several years.
A Review of “The Anti-Intellectual Presidency: The Decline of Presidential Rhetoric from George Washington to George W. Bush”

One of the marks of a truly influential work is that scholars continue to debate it more than 20 years after its publication, as with Jeffrey Tulis's The Rhetorical Presidency. One of the marks of ...
Multiple expression of Ig lambda-chain encoding RNA species in murine plasmacytoma cells.

The murine plasmacytoma MOPC 315, which synthesizes a complete IgA molecule containing lambda 2 light chains, is shown to synthesize a polypeptide related to the lambda 1 light chain. The abnormal lambda 1 polypeptide (m.w. approximately equal to 18,000) is encoded by a shorter polyA+ mRNA than the lambda 1 mRNAs of lambda 1-producing plasmacytomas. Polypeptides containing lambda 1-specific antigenic determinants have been found to be synthesized both in vitro by translations of RNA and in intact cells. HOPC-1, a lambda 1-producing plasmacytoma, was found to synthesize, in addition to the normal lambda 1-encoding mRNA, a lambda 2 RNA of normal length. A lambda 2-producing hybridoma does not appear to synthesize RNA encoding lambda 1 sequences. The results presented here show that more than 1 light chain gene may be transcribed within a single plasmacytoma cell. Although more than 1 light chain gene may be transcribed, the product of only 1 gene appears to be utilized for the synthesis of complete immunoglobulin molecules. This suggests novel mechanisms for the control of immunoglobulin expression.
CORR Insights®: What Are the Risk Factors and Management Options for Infection After Reconstruction With Massive Bone Allografts?

M assive allografts remain an important reconstructive alternative in the armamentarium of musculoskeletal oncologists, adult reconstruction, and other orthopaedic surgeons. Allografts replace osseous defects with like-tissue, restore bone stock for eventual revision reconstructions in younger patients, and offer anatomic tendon attachments and resulting muscle function (for example, in knee extensor, hip abductor, and shoulder rotator cuff grafts) not yet achievable by tendon-to-metal interfaces. When a flawless allograft or allograft-prosthesis composite reconstruction is performed, and the all-too-frequent complications (namely, infection, fracture, and nonunion) are avoided, the functional outcomes achievable frequently surpass those possible by other means, with these other means generally being limited to megaprosthesis reconstruction, resection arthroplasty variants, or some form of amputation. Unfortunately, infection following massive allograft reconstruction is common. The crude infection rate of 9% at 10 years of followup found in the study by Aponte-Tinao and colleagues [1] remains consistent with previously published estimates in patients treated with bulk allograft infection, which range from 8.5% to 13% [5, 6]. Infections frequently coexist with, or predispose to, the other dreaded allograft complications of This CORR Insights is a commentary on the article ‘‘What Are the Risk Factors and Management Options for Infection After Reconstruction With Massive Bone Allografts?’’ by Aponte-Tinao and colleagues available at: DOI: 10.1007/s11999-0154353-3. The author certifies that he, or anymember of his immediate family, has no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJEConflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research editors andboardmembers are onfile with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR or The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. This CORR Insights comment refers to the article available at DOI: 10.1007/s11999-0154353-3. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government. The author is a military service member. This work was prepared as part of his official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. 105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.’ Title 17 U.S.C. 101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the US Government as part of that person’s official duties.
Regulation of actin cytoskeleton architecture by Eps8 and Abi1

The actin cytoskeleton participates in many fundamental processes including the regulation of cell shape, motility, and adhesion. The remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton is dependent on actin binding proteins, which organize actin filaments into specific structures that allow them to perform various specialized functions. The Eps8 family of proteins is implicated in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton remodeling during cell migration, yet the precise mechanism by which Eps8 regulates actin organization and remodeling remains elusive. Here, we show that Eps8 promotes the assembly of actin rich filopodia-like structures and actin cables in cultured mammalian cells and Xenopus embryos, respectively. The morphology of actin structures induced by Eps8 was modulated by interactions with Abi1, which stimulated formation of actin cables in cultured cells and star-like structures in Xenopus. The actin stars observed in Xenopus animal cap cells assembled at the apical surface of epithelial cells in a Rac-independent manner and their formation was accompanied by recruitment of N-WASP, suggesting that the Eps8/Abi1 complex is capable of regulating the localization and/or activity of actin nucleators. We also found that Eps8 recruits Dishevelled to the plasma membrane and actin filaments suggesting that Eps8 might participate in non-canonical Wnt/Polarity signaling. Consistent with this idea, mis-expression of Eps8 in dorsal regions of Xenopus embryos resulted in gastrulation defects. Together, these results suggest that Eps8 plays multiple roles in modulating actin filament organization, possibly through its interaction with distinct sets of actin regulatory complexes. Furthermore, the finding that Eps8 interacts with Dsh and induced gastrulation defects provides evidence that Eps8 might participate in non-canonical Wnt signaling to control cell movements during vertebrate development.
Nursing Home Quality of Life: Study of an Enabling Garden

The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the impact of the construction and use of an enabling garden on resident quality of life in a rural nursing home. This qualitative study used interviews with residents, family members, staff members, and community volunteers who built the garden. Findings suggest the garden had positive effects on resident quality of life, particularly in terms of meaningful daily activities, enjoyment of daily life, resident relationships, and functional competency. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Measurement of the viscosity-density product using multiple reflections of ultrasonic shear horizontal waves.

Abstract We have developed an on-line computer-controlled sensor, based on ultrasound reflection measurements, to determine the product of the viscosity and density of a liquid or slurry for Newtonian fluids and the shear impedance of the liquid for non-Newtonian fluids. A 14 MHz shear wave transducer is bonded to one side of a 45°–90° fused silica wedge and the base is in contract with the liquid. Twenty-eight echoes were observed due to the multiple reflections of an ultrasonic shear horizontal (SH) wave within the wedge. The fast Fourier transform of each echo was obtained for a liquid and for water, which serves as the calibration fluid, and the reflection coefficient at the solid–liquid interface was obtained. Data were obtained for 11 sugar water solutions ranging in concentration from 10% to 66% by weight. The viscosity values are shown to be in good agreement with those obtained independently using a laboratory viscometer. The data acquisition time is 14 s and this can be reduced by judicious selection of the echoes for determining the reflection coefficient. The measurement of the density results in a determination of the viscosity for Newtonian fluids or the shear wave velocity for non-Newtonian fluids. The sensor can be deployed for process control in a pipeline, with the base of the wedge as part of the pipeline wall, or immersed in a tank.
The TRAIL to an anti-cancer agent.

ell death receptors such as Fas/APO1/CD95 or the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor#1 (TNFR1) are potent inducers of apoptosis once overexpressed or engaged by their respective ligands Fas or Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) (see 1 and 2 for review).As systemic agents for cancer therapy, however, Fas and TNF have major limitations that have kept them out of the clinical armamentarium, namely side effects due to their lack of specificity for killing cancer cells. The TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an exciting newcomer because it appears to specifically kill transformed and cancer cells but not normal cells (Fig. 1). Clues as to why TRAIL does not kill normal cells began to surface in 1997 when two TRAIL decoy receptors (TRID, Truncated Intracellular Domain, and TRUNDD, Truncated Death Domain) were cloned. These decoys were found to be expressed more on normal as compared to cancer cells and suggested to bind and compete away TRAIL from binding its two proapoptotic signaling receptors (DR4 and KILLER/DR5). Because of its promise, work has rapidly progressed to determine the feasibility and potential safety of bringing TRAIL into clinical trials. In the February 1999 issue of Nature Medicine, the group at Immunex Corporation led by David H.Lynch presents evidence for the safety and potential efficacy of TRAIL therapy against breast cancer in a Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model. They generated a recombinant molecule that has a modified leucine zipper (LZ) fused to either murine or human TRAIL (LZ-TRAIL).The leucine zipper permits trimerization of the soluble TRAIL cytokine which is believed to enhance its biological effects. In cell culture, the human LZ-TRAIL had no toxicity towards human mammary epithelial cells, human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, normal human lung fibroblasts, or human skeletal muscle cells while demonstrating toxicity towards MDA-231 mammary adenocarcinoma cells at concentrations greater than 10 ng/ml LZ-TRAIL. Interestingly, LZ-TRAIL displayed a similar toxicity towards normal human astrocytes in culture. Intravenous injection of 200 μg of human LZ-TRAIL had no reported toxicity up to 24 h as assessed by observation and hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver and brain, whereas mice that received 50 μg of human LZ-CD95L (leucine zipper-Fas ligand fusion protein) were moribund within 55 min due to massive hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis and hemorrhage. Systemic administration of LZ-TRAIL twice daily for 10 days after intraperitoneal inoculation of CB17-SCID mice with 10 million MDA-231 breast cancer cells prolonged survival (all control mice were dead by 40–50 days whereas in C
Ultrashort electron pulses for diffraction, crystallography and microscopy: theoretical and experimental resolutions

Pulsed electron beams allow for the direct atomic-scale observation of structures with femtosecond to picosecond temporal resolution in a variety of fields ranging from materials science to chemistry and biology, and from the condensed phase to the gas phase. Motivated by recent developments in ultrafast electron diffraction and imaging techniques, we present here a comprehensive account of the fundamental processes involved in electron pulse propagation, and make comparisons with experimental results. The electron pulse, as an ensemble of charged particles, travels under the influence of the space–charge effect and the spread of the momenta among its electrons. The shape and size, as well as the trajectories of the individual electrons, may be altered. The resulting implications on the spatiotemporal resolution capabilities are discussed both for the N-electron pulse and for single-electron coherent packets introduced for microscopy without space–charge.
Understanding patients' and doctors' attitudes about shared decision making for advance care planning

Background Although shared decision making (SDM) is the preferred model of making complex treatment decisions with patients, patients' and doctors' attitudes towards SDM for advance care planning are unknown. Objective We sought to: (i) gain general insights into the current practice of SDM and attitudes about patient involvement, and (ii) gain specific insights into experience with, and attitudes about, SDM for advance care planning. Design Qualitative analysis of face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Setting and participants Patients with chronic lung disease and their doctors at a New York City public hospital. Results Although patients described participation in decision making, many deferred the final decision to their doctors. Doctors indicated a preference for SDM but expressed barriers including perceived lack of patient understanding and lack of patient empowerment. With regard to end-of-life discussions, patients were generally open to having these discussions with their doctors, although their openness sometimes depended on the circumstance (i.e. end-of-life discussions may be more acceptable to patients for whom the chance of dying is high). Doctors reported engaging in end-of-life treatment decisions with their patients, although expressed the need for conversations to take place earlier, in advance of acute illness, and identified a lack of prognostic estimates as one barrier to engaging in this discussion. Conclusions Doctors should explore their patients' attitudes regarding end-of-life discussions and preferences for decision-making styles. There is a need for tools such as decision aids which can empower patients to participate in decision making and can support doctors with prognostic estimates pertinent to individual patients.
Experimental results from the optical planet detector interferometer

Researches have suggested several techniques (ie.: pupil masking, coronography, nulling interferometry) for high contrast imaging that permit the direct detection and characterization of extrasolar planets. Our team at JPL, in previous papers, has described an instrument that will combine the best of several of these techniques: a single aperture visible nulling corograph. The elegant simplicity of this design enables a powerful planet-imaging instrument at modest cost. The heart of this instrument is the visible light nulling interferometer for producing deep, achromatic nulls over a wide optical band pass, and a coherent array of single mode optical fibers 2 that is key to suppressing the level of scattered light. Both of these key components are currently being developed and have produced intial results. This paper will review, in detail, the design of the nulling interferometer experiment and review the latest experimental results. These results illustrate that we are well on our way to developing the fundamental components necessary for planned mission. Likewise, our results demonstrate that the current nulling levels are already consistent with final requirements.
The influence of the nocebo effect in clinical trials

Neurobiological and clinical studies have shown that learning mechanisms and expectations of benefits powerfully affect the brain, mind, and body, with the potential of reliev - ing many symptoms during the course of daily clinical practice. Playing the role of antagonist is the "nocebo effect," which results from negative expectations derived from one's beliefs, previous experiences, and his or her clinical encounters that produce negative effects. Research on the nocebo effect indicates that information disclosure and the manner in which information is delivered can contribute to these adverse effects. In this article, we review neurobiological and medical studies relating to the nocebo effect, as these findings are important for the meth -
Development of a steady electric current in neonatal rat lumbrical muscle

We have used a vibrating probe and intracellular recording techniques to study the development of a steady electric current generated by rat lumbrical muscle. In adult animals, previous work has revealed a steady outward current generated at the end plate region. In the present study, we show that at birth muscles generate a steady inward, not outward current. The inward current declines with age, disappearing about 5 days after birth. At about the same time, the steady outward current appears, and reaches adult amplitude by 2-3 weeks after birth. The two currents are generated by completely different mechanisms. The inward current is blocked by alpha-bungarotoxin and apparently results from activation of acetylcholine-gated channels at the end plate. The outward current, on the other hand, is not affected by alpha-bungarotoxin but is blocked by agents which interfere with chloride movements across the membrane, as in the adult.
A prospective individualized reimbursement (PIR) model.

For example, the diagnosis-related group (DRG) classification system is based on groups of patients who are assumed to be similar with regard to diagnosis, complications, surgical procedures, and age.1'2 Another example is the New York Prospective Hospital Reimbursement Methodology (NYPHRM) used by New York State for some payers of acute inpatient care.3 This is based on groups of hospitals assumed to be similar with regard to mission and tasks and therefore similar with regard to justifiable costs. Other examples are resource utilization groups (RUGs), ambulatory visit groups (AVGs), and functionally related groups (FRGs). In all of these examples, the incentives and equity of allocation rules depend on the extent to which members within each group are in fact similar to each other with regard to resource utilization. Dissatisfaction with the extent of similar-
Stimulation of hair growth during skin regeneration

Abstract Wound healing in mice results in the stimulation of surrounding resting hair follicles to undergo normal growth and differentiation. This stimulation is first apparent microscopically about 7–8 days after injury and grossly at 12–15 days. Neither liver regeneration nor the growth of subcutaneously inoculated Ehrlich ascites tumor result in the stimulation of hair growth. It is concluded, therefore, that the stimulation of hair growth by regenerating skin may be organ specific. It has been possible to demonstrate that the stimulation of resting follicles is best associated with the hyperplastic epithelium situated between the resting hair follicles and the wound, and not with the initial tissue necrosis or fibroblastic proliferation. The results of this investigation are analogous to other studies which demonstrate the stimulation of one tissue by another, such as the stimulation of embryonic or adult tissues by tumors, and the stimulation of one tumor by another. It is suggested that in all such investigations three factors seem to be present, namely, necrosis, epithelial hyperplasia, and a competent target organ or tissue. What varies is the topographical location of each of these factors.
Variability of Practice and Contextual Interference in Motor Skill Learning.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether learning benefits in multiple-task learning situations are a result of contextual interference or of schema enhancement related to the amount of variability in the practice session. Two experiments were designed that replicated and extended the experiment reported by Wulf and Schmidt (1988). In a 2 (same vs. different relative time) x 2 (blocked vs. random practice schedule) design, 48 right-handed subjects were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions. A tapping task was employed that required a right-handed tap of three small brass plates arranged in a diamond pattern. Each segment had a specific time requirement. Target times and response times were provided on a computer screen directly in front of the subject. Each subject participated in two acquisition sessions (i.e., 198 practice trials) and was tested for learning on several different retention and transfer tests. In Experiment 2, a control group was added that received no acquisition phase. Results of both experiments showed a typical contextual interference effect, with depressed scores by the random groups during acquisition but significantly better scores than the blocked groups on several retention and transfer tests. Certain characteristics of the tests were found to influence the demonstration of the practice schedule effects. These results were consistent with predictions from Magill and Hall (1990) that the learning benefits of contextual interference are more likely to occur when skill variations are from different classes of movement and that the amount of variability in practice is more influential when the to-be-learned tasks are parameter modifications of the same generalized motor program.
Threonine-imbalanced diet alters first-meal microstructure in rats

Diets limiting in an essential amino acid have long been known to suppress food intake. The purpose of this study was to examine the microstructure of feeding behavior of rats within the very first meal of an imbalanced diet. Rats were preconditioned for 12 days on a Baseline diet and were then given a test diet with either a corrected amino acid profile or a diet imbalanced with respect to the essential amino acid threonine. Overall, first-meal intake and first-meal duration were robustly and significantly reduced by the Imbalanced diet but not altered by the Corrected diet. The Corrected diet caused an increase in the number of feeding bouts during the first meal. The Imbalanced diet increased the duration of pauses during the first meal. Most rats in the Imbalanced group stopped eating after just 15 min of exposure to the diet, but those still eating after this time tended to have a lower rate of eating compared to those eating the Corrected diet. On the basis of these results, we conclude that changes in microstructure and meal duration contribute to the reduction in food intake upon exposure to amino-acid-deficient diets.
Comparative activities of nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of asymmetric [NN'O] ligands as 26S proteasome inhibitors.

In this study, we compare the proteasome inhibition capabilities of two anticancer candidates, [Ni(LIA)2] (1) and [Zn(LIA)2] (2), where LIA− is the deprotonated form of the ligand 2,4-diiodo-6-(((2...
Viscous dissipation effects in magma conduits

Abstract Fujii and Uyeda (1974) postulated that viscous dissipation may lead to thermal instability and explosive eruptions in the case of volcanic conduits or dikes. Although their conclusions were based on a viscosity function which was valid over a very narrow temperature range, calculations presented here lead to the same result for critical dike width. A simple forced intrusion model, without viscous dissipation effects, is also developed and found to be sufficient to explain the observed width of volcanic conduits and dikes. The mechanism of thermal runaway may present problems for magma energy extraction.
The Chemical Mechanism of Myosin-I: Implications for Actin-based Motility and the Evolution of the Myosin Family of Motor Proteins.

The Acanthamoeba myosin-IA and myosin-IB molecular motors bind to membranes, so they may produce the force to move organelles and membranes along actin filaments. We have determined the rate constants for the actin-activated myosin-I ATPase by pre-steady state kinetic analysis. ATP binds rapidly to myosin-I and dissociates the enzyme from actin filaments at a rate > 500 s-1. Myosin-I hydrolyzes ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) at 20-50 s-1. Phosphate dissociation is the rate limiting step in the ATPase cycle, 0.01 s-1 for myosin-I alone and at 10 s-1 when myosin-I is bound to actin filaments. ADP dissociation is rapid. Phosphorylation controls the ATPase cycle by increasing the rate of phosphate release from myosin-I bound to actin. At steady state the major species are myosin-ATP and myosin-ADP-Pi, which rapidly bind to and dissociate from actin filaments. During the ATPase cycle myosin-I binds so weakly to actin filaments that it cannot support processive movement like kinesin, unless several motors cluster together on a membrane or actin filament. These properties of the enzyme emphasize the importance of characterizing mechanisms that promote the self-association of myosin-I isoforms at specific binding sites in cells.
Glimpses Into the Dialectics of Antebellum Landscape Nucleation in Agrarian Michigan

This paper explores the transforming antebellum (ca. 1834–60) landscape, political economy, and progressive ideologies that existed at the Shepard farmstead site (20CA104) in Battle Creek, Michigan. Through this study of agrarian capitalist transformations, a picture emerges of complex dialectic interdependencies between gender, class, progressive philosophies, and the nucleated and alienating farmscape. To explore these issues, a model of agrarian transitions is developed and compared and contrasted with primary documentary, landscape, and archaeological data. This approach allows for an analysis and interpretation of transitional dynamics that have been ignored by scholars of the historical American countryside.
Metal-binding, nucleic acid-binding finger sequences in the CDC16 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract The CDC16 gene is involved in the process of chromosome segregation in mitosis and a cdc16ts mutant accumulates the predominant microtubule-associated protein at the nonpermissive temperature. We find that the CDC16 gene open reading frame (ORF) is capable of encoding a protein whose calculated molecular weight and pI are 94,967 and 6.60, respectively. This hypothetical protein contains 16 cysteine residues; five are clustered at the N-terminal, 4 are placed about 3 residues apart in the middle of the peptide, and 3 are located close to the C-terminal. Each of these could form a metal-binding, nucleic acid-binding domain, suggesting this protein acts either as a repressor of the microtubule-associated protein gene or as a component necessary for spindle elongation, possibly interacting with the DNA. The start of the CDC16 ORF is only 95 bp downstream from the end of the MAK11 ORF. In this region there are two TATA boxes in tandem, but there is no room for a UAS or other regulatory sequences. An ATG is present 5 bp upstream of the start of the large ORF. Its frame terminates after only two amino acids.
Evaluation of Ovarian Response to HMG Stimulation

ABSTRACT Urinary estriol excretion has been measured serially during human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) treatment in an effort to assess ovarian response (33 patients, 68 cycles). The following conclusions have been drawn: 1) Pretreatment estriol levels are of limited value in predicting ovarian response. 2) Variation in dose response limits the use of HMG as a “stimulation test.” 3) HMG stimulation is of diagnostic value in some cases where the presence of potentially functioning ovarian tissue is in question. 4) Significant ovarian enlargement can occur in any patient with responsive ovarian tissue. 5) Estriol levels are useful in timing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration, both with regard to increasing the likelihood of ovulation and for the purpose of avoiding overstimulation. 6) Clinical assessment of cervical mucus as a measurement of ovarian response may be misleading.
Alternative-splicing of serotonin receptor isoforms in the pharynx and muscle of the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum.

Abstract Pharyngeal pumping is essential for nematode feeding and survival and is dramatically stimulated by serotonin (5-HT). In the present study, a cDNA pool was prepared from poly A + RNA isolated from pharynxes dissected from the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum , and was used as a template for RT-PCR with degenerate primers designed from sequences conserved in 5-HT receptors from a variety of sources. A putative 5-HT receptor cDNA (AS1) was identified which exhibited most identity to the 5-HT 2 family of receptors. AS1 was 1925 nucleotides, did not appear to be trans -spliced and contained a 3′ untranslated region of 127 nucleotides with a polyadenylation signal (ATTAAA) and a short poly A + tail. The coding region predicted a protein of 532 amino acids with a molecular weight of 60 176. When AS1 was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, isolated membranes exhibited the high affinity, saturable binding of [ 125 I]LSD. More importantly, [ 125 I]LSD binding was inhibited by 5-HT, but not other biogenic amines, supporting the identification of AS1 as a 5-HT receptor. Additional cDNAs identical, in part, to AS1 were also identified. AS1ΔIV lacked a predicted 42 amino acids at the carboxy terminus of the third intracellular loop, while AS2 and AS3 contained different COOH-termini, regions implicated in G-protein coupling in other heptahelical receptors. A portion of the gene (5 htn ) encoding AS1 also was cloned and sequenced. This genomic fragment was about 10 kb, contained the entire AS1 open reading frame and included eight exons and seven introns. From this analysis, it appears that these different AS cDNAs were generated by alternative-splicing, AS1ΔIV from the deletion of exon IV, and AS2 and AS3 from the use of alternative sites within exon VII as 5′ splice acceptor sites for exon VIII. Using RT-PCR and primers specific for each of the isoforms, AS1–3 appeared to be expressed in pharynx, while only AS1 and AS2 were present in body wall muscle. More importantly, the deletion of exon IV appeared to be associated exclusively with AS1 in pharynx and AS2 in muscle.
Autobiographical Memory Across the Life-span

The processes of autobiographical memory were studied in four groups with mean ages of 12.7, 19.1, 44.5 and 67.2 years. Participants provided memories of specific events in response to single-word prompts. Analyses of response time and age of memories indicated response time remains stable during adulthood, whereas average event age increases. Analyses of retention function, however, indicated little difference in the retrieval of memories from recent intervals. Imagery value and meaningfulness correlated with response time for all age groups but only correlated with age of memories for college students. The data suggest similarity of memory systems across age for the level of functioning associated with the encoding of daily events.
Vierbein singularities in CP2

Abstract The compact open four-dimensional manifold C P2, with Euclidean metric, has recently attracted attention as an example of a spacetime in which fields of half-integral spin cannot be defined in the absence of additional structure (such as an electromagnetic background). In this note we identify the specific topological anomaly responsible for this phenomenon: C P2 contains a class of two-dimensional spheres—“complex lines”— in small neighborhoods of each of which the two transverse degrees of freedom are forced to “twist” in a characteristic way. It is shown in detail how the twists force vierbeins—tetrads of orthonormal vector fields that play a central role in the theory of spinors—to have singularities on every complex line. As an aid to visualization we construct an example of a vierbein with, loosely speaking, the smallest possible set of singularities: It is ill-defined at every point of some one complex line and smooth everywhere else. The behavior of such a vierbein near any one of its singular points is characterized explicitly. The structure of the minimally singular vierbein is used to illuminate the observation of Hawking and Pope that in the presence of an appropriate electromagnetic background, fields of any spin can exist on C P2 as long as their electric charges are correctly quantized, but that the charge values available to half-integral-spin fields differ from those available to integral-spin fields.
The Influence of Status Differences on Helping in Organizational Teams

The current paper examines how status distance (i.e., how far away someone is in status) and direction (i.e., is the other person above or below oneself in the hierarchy) influence helping behavior...
Using mindfulness in a harm reduction approach to substance abuse treatment: A literature review

Harm reduction, a modern post-2000 form of treatment for substance use behaviors, provided a public health and disease model for the reduction of the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus in the early 1980s. Different from the traditional choice of treatment, abstinence, harm reduction is designed to meet people “where they are at”. The traditional 12-step treatment for substance use disorders does not allow the individual to relapse, lest it is considered the treatment has failed. Harm reduction focuses on the reduction of negative consequences of substance use and allows the substance user to accept moderate and safer use, thereby, reducing the harmful effects of the disorder. The inclusion of mindfulness with harm reduction places the individual in the present state of awareness, the here and now, making them aware of cues that trigger the desire to use substances. This article will compare the use of harm reduction treatments combined with mindfulness techniques as an alternative treatment for substance abuse when the 12-step substance abuse program does not work for everyone.
Changes in diet and physical activity resulting from the Shape Up Somerville community intervention.

The purpose of this study is to describe the behavioral changes in children resulting from Shape Up Somerville (SUS), a community-based, participatory obesity prevention intervention that used a multi-level, systems-based approach. It was set in Somerville, an urban, culturally diverse community in Massachusetts, USA. This was a non-randomized, controlled 2-year community-based intervention trial with children enrolled in grades 1 to 3 (ages 6-8 years). Overall, the SUS intervention was designed to create environmental and policy change to impact all aspects of a child’s day. Pre-post outcomes were compared between Somerville and two control communities that were chosen based on socio-demographic similarities. Behavioral outcomes were fruit and vegetable and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption; number of organized sports and physical activities per year; walking to and from school; screen and television time; television in bedroom; and dinner in room with television on. These measures were assessed by parent/caregiver report using a 68-item Family Survey Form. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression, accounting for covariates and clustering by community. Intervention group children, compared to the control group, significantly reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (-2.0 ounces per day; 95% CI -3.8 to -0.2), increased participation in organized sports and physical activities (0.20 sports or activities per year; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.33), and reduced their screen time (-0.24 hours per day; 95% CI -0.42 to -0.06). Results of this study, particularly intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and screen time, are similar to others that used a multi-level approach to realize change in behavior. These results support the efficacy of a multi-level and systems-based approach for promoting the behavioral changes necessary for childhood obesity prevention. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00153322.
Mainstreaming urban ecosystem services: A national survey of municipal foresters

Researchers and advocates are calling for ecosystem services management to advance from theory to implementation. To do so, they argue, requires two things: information on the science and practice ecosystem services management to be more widely developed and distributed, and support for ecosystem services management be incorporated into decision-making. These changes require adding to urban ecology an understanding of the political and information relationships supporting work in this field. To gain insight into these relationships I surveyed the national membership of the Society for Municipal Arborists about their efforts in managing municipal green space to produce ecosystem services. A significant percentage of respondents reported their organizations currently engaged in managing green space assets to produce ecosystem services and predicted such activities would increase over time. Foresters noted they relied on public and informal peer relationships as primary information sources in these efforts and reported little interface with private sector entities, viewing the latter, rather as most likely to constrain their efforts to enhance the production of ecosystem services. While foresters noted that they sought information from public and academic sources, the foresters themselves were less frequently sought out for their expertise. Respondents, however, foresaw becoming engaged in more reciprocal relationships around information exchange. The private sector’s absence in these relationships suggests insufficient legal and regulatory structures necessary to support private engagement in the growing demand for urban ecosystem services. The broad base of local grassroots and public support, however, suggest the emergence of constituencies that could lay the basis for new coalitions to advance green infrastructure and its related ecosystem services into the mainstream of municipal resource management.
Influence of vaginally deposited autonomic drugs upon fertility in the rabbit.

Abstract The vaginal deposition of autonomic drugs five minutes prior to mating did not provide an adequate means of contraception in the rabbit. The data did, however, suggest that the drug treatments may influence spermatozoa and/or ovum transport.
Probing reaction dynamics with GDR decay

Abstract The giant dipole resonance (GDR) has been a prolific source of information on the physics of the nucleus. Mostly it has taught us about nuclear structure, but recently experiments have utilized the GDR as a probe of nuclear reaction dynamics. In this report two examples of such investigations are discussed involving very different reactions and probing time scales that differ by a factor of ∼10 3 .
A new basis set for the description of electrons in superconductors

Abstract In the usual description of electrons in metals and superconductors, the single electron states are assumed to satisfy Bloch's theorem. This is because the electron–ion interaction is privileged over the electron–electron interaction. However the theory of hole superconductivity proposes that in the transition to superconductivity carriers ‘undress’ from the electron–ion interaction. I propose here a new basis set to describe electrons in the superconducting state that does not satisfy Bloch's theorem but instead is designed to optimize the electron–electron interaction. The new basis set favors a superconducting state where a spin current exists and where states near the bottom of the band become partially occupied, as predicted by the theory of hole superconductivity.
WATER RELATIONS AND DESICCATION‐AVOIDING BEHAVIOR IN THE VINEGAROON MASTIGOPROCTUS GIGANTEUS (ARACHNIDA: UROPYGI)

The vinegaroon or whip scorpion Mastigoproctus giganteus gains water by drinking from a moist substrate and from its prey. These are found by the sensitive antenniform front legs. Large specimens readily lose water to the air at 26° at humidities up to 95% R.H. As temperatures increase they lose water in proportion to the saturation deficit of the atmosphere, suggesting the absence of an epicuticular wax layer. Desiccated vinegaroons respond positively to moist air in a humidity gradient, but show no preference between darkness and light. Substrate moisture does not affect the lack of such a preference by normal animals. Burrowing is characteristic of dehydrated individuals. By using their sensitive front legs these first detect nonhorizontal surfaces and, provided the substrate is moist, dig burrows against – and in nature most likely beneath – such surfaces so that further water loss is presumably avoided. Resume TRANSPIRATION, REACTION A L'HUMIDITE ET COMPORTEMENT EVITANT LA DESSICATION, CHEZ MASTIGOPROCTUS GIGANTEUS (ARACHNIDA: UROPYGI) Mastigoproctus giganteus se rencontre dans les regions arides du Sud-Ouest des U.S.A.; rare pendant la saison seche, il apparait apres les pluies. C'est un predateur nocturne, principalement d'insectes. Le present travail tente de preciser comment cet Arachnide reagit aux conditions d'aridite des regions desertiques. De grands exemplaires vivants de M. giganteus montrent un taux de perte en eau relativement eleve pour une temperature de 26° avec une humidite relative pouvant aller jusqu'a 95%. Pour ces grands specimens la transpiration a travers la cuticule s'accroit de facon approximativement lineaire pour les temperatures superieures, ce qui indique l'absence probable d'une couche cireuse epicuticulaire fonctionnelle. Des animaux hydrates ne repondent pas a un gradient d'humidite, mais apres avoir ete soumis a des conditions de dessication les individus de petite taille montrent une preference marquee pour l'air le plus humide. Ils ne manifestent aucune preference entre la lumiere (1,500 lux) ou l'obscurite lorsqu'ils sont places sur sable sec ou humide, meme apres avoir une dessication partielle. La faible aptitude physiologique de ces animaux pour reduire leurs pertes en eau semble compensee par un sens thigmotactique hautement developpe qui leur permet d'une part, de capturer aisement leurs proies, d'autre part de detecter des surfaces non-horizontales contre lesquelles ils creusent alors si le substrat est humide. Ce comportement doit jouer un role important en evitant a l'animal les conditions de dessication.
Use of Traveler Information in the Puget Sound Region: Preliminary Multivariate Analysis:

Recent developments in information technologies, providing new ways to disseminate and use information, may help alleviate congestion, reduce user cost and time, and enhance safety. This influence of technology use, however, is mediated by telecommunication and information technology ownership and use. A multivariate probit model specification is used to determine how these parameters influence traveler decision making when one is confronted with information about traffic problems before making a trip to work or school, en route to or from work or school, and before making a trip from work or school. Addressed is the key relationship between telecommunication and information technology ownership and use with travel decisions when information about traffic problems is available. Data from the Puget Sound region for 1997 are used in the analysis. The results suggest technology ownership and use influence travel decision making in different ways for each stage of travel—before leaving home, en route, and ret...
Analysis of model variables and fixation post length effects on stresses around a prosthesis in the proximal tibia

A two-dimensional, finite element model of a single-posted, metal, tibial prosthetic component implanted with PMMA in the proximal tibia is developed. The effects upon the stresses at the PMMA-bone interface and in the cancellous bone around the component due to the inclusion in the model of the cortical shell and the heterogeneity and anisotropy of the cancellous bone, are demonstrated. Various lengths of the fixation post are considered. The cortical shell adds support and stiffness to the bone structure, and allows generation of significant stresses proximally. The heterogeneity of the cancellous bone, as assumed here, dictates the form of the stress distributions and the magnitudes and locations of the peak stress values around the post of the component. Peak stress values can occur at locations proximal to the post tip. The anisotrophy of the cancellous bone significantly alters the magnitudes of the stresses. Lower stresses along the post interface and higher stresses beneath the plate of the prosthesis are seen in the anisotropic models. Lengthening of the fixation post reduces stresses proximally, but the effects of post lengthening upon the maximum stress values around the post are highly dependent upon the assumed properties of the cancellous bone.
Corotating or Codeforming Models for Thermoforming: Free Forming

Our previous work [J Pol Eng, 32, 245 (2012)] explores the role of viscoelasticity for the simplest relevant problem in thermoforming, the manufacture of cones. In this previous work, we use a differential model employing the corotational derivative [the corotational Maxwell model (CM)] for which we find an analytical solution for the sheet deformation as a function of time. This previous work also identifies the ordinary nonlinear differential equation corresponding to the upper convected Maxwell model (UCM), for which she finds no analytical solution. In this paper, we explore the role of convected derivative by solving this UCM equation numerically by finite difference. We extend the previous work to include sag by incorporating a finite initial sheet curvature. We treat free forming step in thermoforming and find that the convected derivative makes the free forming time unreasonably sensitive to the initial curvature. Whereas, for the CM model, we get a free forming time that is independent of initial sheet curvature, so long as the sheet is nearly flat to begin with. We cast our results into dimensionless plots of thermoforming times versus disk radius of curvature.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Easiness Assumptions and Hardness Tests

We propose a new approach toward derandomization in the uniform setting, where it is computationally hard to find possible mistakes in the simulation of a given probabilistic algorithm. The approach consists in combining both easiness and hardness complexity assumptions: if a derandomization method based on an easiness assumption fails, then we obtain a certain hardness test that can be used to remove error in BPP algorithms. As an application, we prove that every RP algorithm can be simulated by a zero-error probabilistic algorithm, running in expected subexponential time, that appears correct infinitely often (i.o.) to every efficient adversary. A similar result by Impagliazzo and Wigderson (FOCS'98) states that BPP allows deterministic subexponential-time simulations that appear correct with respect to any efficiently sampleable distribution i.o., under the assumption that EXP?BPP; in contrast, our result does not rely on any unproven assumptions. As another application of our techniques, we get the following gap theorem for ZPP: either every RP algorithm can be simulated by a deterministic subexponential-time algorithm that appears correct i.o. to every efficient adversary or EXP=ZPP. In particular, this implies that if ZPP is somewhat easy, e.g., ZPP?DTIME(2nc) for some fixed constant c, then RP is subexponentially easy in the uniform setting described above.