cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the abnormal products from the reaction of 2-thenyl and benzyl grignard reagents by gas chromatography.†

The products of the reaction of 2-thenylmagnesium chloride (I) with a variety of reagents has been studied by gas chromatography. Carbon dioxide and ethylene oxide produced significant amounts of 5-substituted (“para”) products as well as 3-substituted (“ortho”) and normal addition products. Several other reagents, including acetyl chloride and formaldehyde, produced mainly “ortho” products along with small amounts of normal products. The dependence of product distribution on temperature, added salts and solvent character was found to correlate with the reported rates of inversion about the carbon-magnesium bond in primary Grignard reagents. Blocking the “ortho” position, in 3-methyl-2-thenylmagnesium chloride, increased the proportion of “para” product from 3 to 33%. In addition, the reactions of benzylmagnesium chloride with certain reagents were re-examined.
Békésy's contributions to our present understanding of sound conduction to the inner ear.

In our daily lives we hear airborne sounds that travel primarily through the external and middle ear to the cochlear sensory epithelium. We also hear sounds that travel to the cochlea via a second sound-conduction route, bone conduction. This second pathway is excited by vibrations of the head and body that result from substrate vibrations, direct application of vibrational stimuli to the head or body, or vibrations induced by airborne sound. The sensation of bone-conducted sound is affected by the presence of the external and middle ear, but is not completely dependent upon their function. Measurements of the differential sensitivity of patients to airborne sound and direct vibration of the head are part of the routine battery of clinical tests used to separate conductive and sensorineural hearing losses. Georg von Bekesy designed a careful set of experiments and pioneered many measurement techniques on human cadaver temporal bones, in physical models, and in human subjects to elucidate the basic mechanisms of air- and bone-conducted sound. Looking back one marvels at the sheer number of experiments he performed on sound conduction, mostly by himself without the aid of students or research associates. Bekesy's work had a profound impact on the field of middle-ear mechanics and bone conduction fifty years ago when he received his Nobel Prize. Today many of Bekesy's ideas continue to be investigated and extended, some have been supported by new evidence, some have been refuted, while others remain to be tested.
Cationic Lipid Enhances In Vitro Receptor-Mediated Transfection

The efficiency of cell-specific transfection by receptor-mediated uptake is improved by the use of cationic lipids. Asialoglycoprotein (AP) was conjugated to poly-L-lysine (PL) and complexed with the plasmid pCMVL that contains a luciferase reporter gene. The asialoglycoprotein-poly-L-lysine:pCMVL (AP-PL:pCMVL) complexes then were mixed with the cationic lipid dioctadecylamidoglycylspermine (DOGS). This complex was taken up by the hepatocyte-like cell line, Hep G2, via the asialo-glycoprotein receptor. The expression of luciferase in cells transfected with the DOGS/AP-PL: pCMVL complexes were significantly increased compared with AP-PL:pCMVL complexes without DOGS. The ratio of AP-PL to DOGS is an important determinant for both transfection efficiency and for maintaining receptor specificity. Therefore, cationic lipids significantly increased the efficiency of asialoglycoprotein receptor mediated transfection in the hepatoblastoma cell line, Hep G2. The use of cationic lipids with receptor-mediated gene delivery systems could potentially increase transfection efficiency yet maintain cell-target specificity.
An integrative approach to using student investment clubs and student investment funds in the finance curriculum

Abstract The educational advantages of student investment clubs and student investment funds have been well documented. This paper suggests ways to integrate them into the finance curriculum and examines the benefits of integrating both funds and clubs into an instructional framework that provides important out-of-class experience to potential finance students, allows for the practical application of finance theory, and gives alumni an opportunity to remain involved with their alma mater. A discussion of how research in student learning styles can help instructors maximize the benefits of club and fund activity is also included.
The unfolded protein response pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Oligomerization and trans-phosphorylation of Ire1p (Ern1p) are required for kinase activation

In eukaryotic cells, accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) results in a transcriptional induction of a number of ER chaperone proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the putative transmembrane receptor kinase, Ire1p (Ern1p), has been implicated as the sensor of unfolded proteins in the ER that initiates transmittance of the unfolded protein signal from the ER to the nucleus. We have shown that the cytoplasmic domain of Ire1p receptor indeed has intrinsic Ser/Thr kinase activity and contains Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites as well. The cytoplasmic domain is also shown to form oligomers in vivo and in vitro. The ability to form oligomers primarily resides within the last 130 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain, a region that is dispensable for in vitro kinase activity of the receptor. Oligomerization of the cytoplasmic domains is required for receptor trans-phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the kinase function. The activated kinase may transmit the unfolded protein signal from the ER to the nucleus to activate the transcription of the chaperone genes in the nucleus.
Countertransference and Intersubjectivity: Golden Opportunities in Clinical Supervision

Countertransference and intersubjectivity are concepts emerging from contemporary psychoanalytic practice and transtheoretical psychotherapy that represent golden opportunities for strengthening clinical supervision. Examination of countertransference within the intersubjective matrix of client, therapist, and supervisor promises to improve clinical supervision and professional practice. Case studies addressing unresolved shame and addictive family dynamics demonstrate the clinical benefits of careful examination of parallel processes in the client-therapist and therapist-supervisor dyads. Historical antecedents and recent literature indicate directions for research and training.
The role of Tamm-Horsfall protein in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection

Although Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) has been implicated in a variety of pathologic conditions, its physiologic function still remains unclear. Several studies have shown conclusively that bacteria expressing mannose-sensitive (MS) fimbriae bind to THP and to THP-coated exfoliated uroepithelial cells. Therefore it has been suggested that THP may prevent MS-fimbriated organisms from colonizing the epithelial surface of the urinary tract. Whereas older clinical studies were often inconclusive, recent studies using more sensitive assays demonstrated reduced THP levels in a geriatric population, in children with urinary tract infections and in elderly women with bacteriuria. Although additional studies are required, available data support a protective role for THP as a non-immune antibacterial host factor against uropathogens. The clinical importance of in vitro studies showing interference of THP with bacterial recognition by leukocytes and down-regulation of cell-mediated immune responses is presently unclear.
Moving Toward Community-Based Environmental Management : Wetland Protection in Door County

As environmental protection efforts increasingly focus on land use decisions, local governments face mounting pressures to control development in wetland areas. These pressures are especially strong as citizens and environmental groups recognize the limitations of federal efforts to protect wetlands. Door County, Wisconsin, offers an interesting example of the perils and pitfalls associated with trying to move beyond federal and state wetland regulations. Door County, by adopting wetland districts as part of its county zoning ordinance, created greater protection of wetlands—but at the expense of increasing confusion about the various roles of town, county, state, and federal governments. Although the case reveals a high level of interest to protect wetlands among key stakeholder groups, bureaucratic inertia and political tensions between town and county governments hamper efforts to move beyond the existing program. Most striking is the tenuous nature of partnerships formed in the process of community-ba...
THE BATTERED WOMEN MOVEMENT AND THE CREATION OF THE WIFE BEATING PROBLEM

Wife beating has become the object of media attention and government policy, not because of an increase in its frequency, or because the public has become more concerned, but because a social movement developed in the 1970s to help battered women. The growth of the battered women movement illustrates both successful resource mobilization and the creation of a social problem. Pre-existing organizational ties, structural and ideological flexibility, and, in particular, the benefits sponsors gain by supporting movement activities account for the movement's rapid growth and impact. At the same time, increasing co-optation is affecting both how wife beating is defined and managed, and the course of the movement itself.
ACTIVATION OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM IN IgA NEPHROPATHY MODEL MICE

1. Although IgA nephropathy is the most common form of primary glomerulopathy, the detailed mechanisms underlying its development remain uncertain. 2. In the present study, we used male high IgA strain of ddY (HIGA) mice as the IgA nephropathy model and age-matched male BALB/c mice as the control. Recent studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent enhancement of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a potential role in the development and progression of renal injury. Therefore, in the present study we periodically measured the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of mice over the period 21-25 weeks of age and estimated markers for ROS, RAS and renal damage after mice had been killed at 25 weeks of age. 3. Markers for ROS (urinary 8-isoprostane excretion and renal 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal accumulation), RAS (renal angiotensinogen protein expression, urinary angiotensinogen excretion and renal angiotensin II) and renal damage (desmin-positive area and urinary protein excretion), as well as SBP, were significantly increased in HIGA mice compared with control BALB/c mice. 4. The data suggest that both ROS and the RAS are activated at an early phase in IgA nephropathy model mice.
Facial nerve regeneration through semipermeable chambers in the rabbit

Peripheral neural regeneration, over a 10-mm transectional gap, was determined in 70 rabbit buccal divisions of the facial nerve using two entubational systems (semipermeable and impermeable silicone chambers) prefilled with three natural occurring media (serum, blood, and saline) during a 5-week period. The number of myelinated axonal regenerates at the midchamber and at 2 mm in the distal transected neural stump were counted in each group and compared to pooled myelinated axonal counts in 9 normal rabbit buccal divisions of the facial nerve. Semipermeable porous chambers had an overall greater regeneration success rate (75% vs. 42.8%) and regained, on the average, a higher number of myelinated axons (51.4% vs. 26.1%) than silicone chamber regenerates. Semipermeable chambers prefilled with serum or blood had significantly higher regeneration success rates, myelinated axonal counts, and percentages of neural innervation of the distal transected neural stump. Both entubational systems produced similar axonal counts with intraluminal saline. The highest overall success rate (93.7%) and average number of myelinated axons per chamber (3072) were achieved in semipermeable chambers prefilled with serum. The greatest variability in myelinated axonal counts (0 to 3266 axons) and percentage of distal stump innervation (5.5% to 98.1%) was seen in silicone chambers filled with saline. The percentage of myelinated axons from the midchamber that innervated the distal stump was greater in semipermeable chambers with blood (73%) and serum (54%) than in silicone saline chambers (43%). On the average, the distal stumps from semipermeable chambers filled with serum (47%) and blood (33.5%) regained a higher percentage of normal myelinated axonal counts than silicone-saline chambers (12.5%). These results suggest that both the construction of entubational chamber and the intraluminal medium can have significant influence on neurite regeneration. Semipermeable chambers prefilled with serum have a strong neurite-promoting potential in peripheral neural regeneration of rabbit facial nerves.
A cryptic protease activity from Trypanosoma cruzi revealed by preincubation with kininogen at low temperatures.

Abstract Cysteine proteases have been identified in parasitic protozoa including the causative agent of Chagas’ disease Trypanosoma cruzi. T. cruzi lysates subjected to substrate-containing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis exhibit major bands of proteolytic activity in the 45-55 kDa molecular mass range (cruzipain activity). Paradoxically, addition of kininogen (a cystatin-like protease inhibitor) to the lysates before electrophoresis results in the appearance of additional bands of proteolytic activity in the 160-190 kDa molecular mass range. This inhibitor-activated protease activity depends upon the reaction conditions and exhibits novel properties. For example, a 24-48 hour preincubation at low temperature (−20°C optimum) greatly enhances the proteolytic activity. The results suggest that a metastable complex forms between kininogen and a cryptic 30 kDa cysteine protease from T. cruzi and that this complex participates in the activation of proteolytic activity.
Strategy alignment boosts business results and employee satisfaction at Sandia National Laboratories

Faced with the challenge of meeting increased customer demands with a decreasing budget, the Responsive Neutron Generator Product Deployment Center of Sandia National Laboratories used a value-creation process management system based on lean principles to cascade its strategic plan into lower-level objectives, provide a means to monitor and control progress in a systematic way, and ensure a closed-loop system for performing work. Over the past four years, the Center has improved performance and employee and customer satisfaction and significantly reduced operating expenses by aligning all work in the organization to its strategic objectives and developing a culture in which employees know how their work fits into the larger organizational context. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arthroplasty of the ulnar carpometacarpal joints

Fracture-dislocation of the ulnar carpometacarpal (CMC) joints may result in malunion or arthropathy when it is missed or inadequately treated. Partial resection arthroplasty of the ulnar CMC joints was done in 16 patients to treat malunion subsequent to dorsal fracture-dislocation. This procedure is recommended as a reliable means of treatment that preserves the important motion on the u1nar side of the hand.
Effective Coulomb force modeling for spacecraft in Earth orbit plasmas

Abstract Coulomb formation flight is a concept that utilizes electrostatic forces to control the separations of close proximity spacecraft. The Coulomb force between charged bodies is a product of their size, separation, potential and interaction with the local plasma environment. A fast and accurate analytic method of capturing the interaction of a charged body in a plasma is shown. The Debye–Huckel analytic model of the electrostatic field about a charged sphere in a plasma is expanded to analytically compute the forces. This model is fitted to numerical simulations with representative geosynchronous and low Earth orbit (GEO and LEO) plasma environments using an effective Debye length. This effective Debye length, which more accurately captures the charge partial shielding, can be up to 7 times larger at GEO, and as great as 100 times larger at LEO. The force between a sphere and point charge is accurately captured with the effective Debye length, as opposed to the electron Debye length solutions that have errors exceeding 50%. One notable finding is that the effective Debye lengths in LEO plasmas about a charged body are increased from centimeters to meters. This is a promising outcome, as the reduced shielding at increased potentials provides sufficient force levels for operating the electrostatically inflated membrane structures concept at these dense plasma altitudes.
A modular operation system for the CRAY-1

A new operating system for the CRAY-1 supercomputer implements four types of objects that can be manipulated by user tasks. A directory object is used to implement a hierarchical directory structure, a file object stores random access data, a pipe object permits intertask communication and a process object is used to execute user programs. The advantages of implementing a restricted number of object types in the kernel and the lessons learned from developing a supercomputer operating system from scratch are discussed.
Does the stock market affect investment by Chinese firms? Some new evidence

During the 1990s, the Chinese government increasingly relied on the stock market as the major tool for state‐owned enterprise (SOE) reform and for the allocation of investment resources. This paper investigates the impact of stock market development in China on firm‐level capital investment by using a panel data set constructed by the author of all Chinese listed firms for the period 1992 to 1999. The results show that stock market valuation, as measured by Tobin’s q, has a highly independent, significant and positive influence on listed firms’ investment decisions, particularly during the stock market boom from 1996 to 1999. Given the sizable real effects of the stock market, deviations of stock prices from fundamentals can have substantially negative consequences. As a result, this study suggests that sensible regulation of the Chinese stock market is needed in order to enhance the efficiency of stock prices and facilitate an effective channeling of investment funds.
Integrin expression and integrin-mediated adhesion in vitro of human multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) to endothelial cells from various blood vessels

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) home to damaged tissue by processes partly regulated by integrins. Integrin subunits expressed by MSCs were identified by flow cytometry (FC), immunocytochemistry (IC), and a panel of integrin-binding antibodies. In subconfluent cultures, over 80% of MSCs expressed integrin subunits beta1, beta2, and alpha3, 20%-55% expressed alpha1, alpha2, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, and alphaV, and about 10% expressed beta3 when assayed by FC. None of the cells expressed significant levels of 13 other integrins as assayed by FC, but seven of the 13 integrins were detected by IC: beta5, alpha7, alpha8, alpha9, alpha11, alphaX, and alphaD. Expression of some integrins changed with MSC confluency: integrins beta3, alpha1, alpha3, alpha5, and alphaV increased, and alpha6 decreased. Furthermore, alpha4 was the only integrin to vary among preparations of MSCs from different donors. The results resolved some discrepancies in the literature concerning integrin expression by MSCs. We also investigated the role of specific integrins in MSC adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs) from the pulmonary artery (HPAEC), cardiac-derived microvasculature (HMVEC-C), and umbilical veins (HUVEC). In experiments with blocking antibodies to beta integrins, anti-beta5 reduced MSC adhesion to all types of ECs, anti-beta1 to both HUVEC and HPAEC, anti-beta3 to HUVEC, and anti-beta2 to HMVEC-C. With blocking antibodies to alpha integrins, anti-alphaX reduced adhesion to HPAEC and HMVEC-C, anti-alphaV to HPAEC, and both anti-alpha7 and anti-alphaD to HMVEC-C. Thus, MSCs use diverse integrins to adhere to EC from various blood vessels in vitro.
The emerging roles of translation factor eIF4E in the nucleus

The emerging field of nuclear eIF research has yielded many surprises and led to the dissolution of some dogmatic/ideological viewpoints of the place of translation in the regulation of gene expression. Eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are classically defined by their cytoplasmic location and ability to regulate the initiation phase of protein synthesis. For instance, in the cytoplasm, the m7G cap-binding protein eIF4E plays a distinct role in cap-dependent translation initiation. Disruption of eIF4E's regulatory function drastically effects cell growth and may lead to oncogenic transformation. A growing number of studies indicate that many eIFs, including a substantial fraction of eIF4E, are found in the nucleus. Indeed, nuclear eIF4E participates in a variety of important RNA-processing events including the nucleocytoplasmic transport of specific, growth regulatory mRNAs. Although unexpected, it is possible that some eIFs regulate protein synthesis within the nucleus. This review will focus on the novel, nuclear functions of eIF4E and how they contribute to eIF4E's growth-activating and oncogenic properties. Both the cytoplasmic and nuclear functions of eIF4E appear to be dependent on its intrinsic ability to bind to the 5' m7G cap of mRNA. For example, Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein (PML) potentially acts as a negative regulator of nuclear eIF4E function by decreasing eIF4E's affinity for the m7G cap. Therefore, eIF4E protein is flexible enough to utilize a common biochemical activity, such as m7G cap binding, to participate in divergent processes in different cellular compartments.
Histone deacetylase-related protein inhibits AES-mediated neuronal cell death by direct interaction

Histone deacetylase-related protein (HDRP), an alternatively spliced and truncated form of histone deacetylase-9 that lacks a C-terminal catalytic domain, protects neurons from death. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which HDRP mediates its neuroprotective effect, we screened for proteins in the brain that interact with HDRP by using a yeast two-hybrid assay. One of the HDRP-interacting proteins identified in this screen was amino enhancer of split (AES), a 197–amino acid protein belonging to the Groucho family. Interaction between HDRP and AES was verified by in vitro binding assays, coimmunoprecipitation, and colocalization studies. To investigate the significance of the HDRP-AES association to the regulation of neuronal survival, we used cultured cerebellar granule neurons, which undergo apoptosis when treated with low potassium (LK) medium. We found that in contrast to HDRP, whose expression is markedly reduced by LK treatment, AES expression was not appreciably altered. Forced expression of AES in healthy neurons results in cell death, an action that is blocked by the coexpression of HDRP. AES is a truncated version of larger Groucho-related proteins, one of which is transducin-like enhancer of split (TLE)-1. We found that the expression of TLE1 is reduced in LK-treated neurons and the forced expression of TLE1 blocks LK-induced neuronal death as well as death induced by AES. Our results show that AES has apoptotic activity in neurons and suggest that neuroprotection by HDRP is mediated by the inhibition of this activity through direct interaction. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Model for Spectral Artifacts in Two-Dimensional Four-Wave Mixing Spectra from Absorption and Refractive Index Dispersion at Infrared Resonances

Doubly vibrationally enhanced four-wave mixing (DOVE-FWM) is a new technique that is capable of providing two-dimensional spectra. These methods often require scanning lasers over infrared absorption features where the index of refraction dispersion and the sample absorption distort the 2D spectra. In order to test a quantitative model for treating these artifacts, we have chosen a simple model system with an isolated absorption feature and we have compared the line shapes of a resonant Raman feature for a series of different concentrations and experimental scanning strategies. We have identified the 2D spectral signatures that accompany the dispersion and absorption effects and we have shown that they are qualitatively similar to the effects introduced by singly vibrationally enhanced (SIVE) four-wave mixing. We find that the spectral changes are substantial and must be treated correctly if one is to obtain an accurate treatment of multiresonant data.
Cancer and Aging: Why Not Waltz Together?

The burden of cancer is felt disproportionately among the elderly with the majority of cancers occurring in adults over the age of 65. Dr. Bennett briefly examines the implications of this fact, and acknowledges the growing evidence that clinicians are ill equipped to handle the complex management issues of their elderly patients. CA will continue this series on geriatric oncology in future issues.
Catalytic ignition and autothermal combustion of JP-8 and its surrogates over a Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

Abstract With the aim of utilizing JP-8 fuel for small scale portable power generation systems, catalytic combustion of JP-8 is studied. The surface ignition, extinction and autothermal combustion of JP-8, of a six-component surrogate fuel mixture, and the individual components of the surrogate fuel over a Pt/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalyst are experimentally investigated in a packed bed flow reactor. The surrogate mixture exhibits similar ignition–extinction behavior and autothermal temperatures compared to JP-8 suggesting the possibility of using this surrogate mixture for detailed kinetics of catalytic combustion of JP-8. It is shown that JP-8 ignites at low temperatures in the presence of catalyst. Upon ignition, catalytic combustion of JP-8 and the surrogate mixture is self-sustained and robust combustion is observed under fuel lean as well as fuel rich conditions. It is shown that the ignition temperature of the hydrocarbon fuels increases with increasing equivalence ratio. Extinction is observed under fuel lean conditions, whereas sustained combustion was also observed for fuel rich conditions. The effect of dilution in the air flow on the catalytic ignition and autothermal temperatures of the fuel mixture is also investigated by adding helium to the air stream while keeping the flow rate and the equivalence ratio constant. The autothermal temperature decreases linearly as the amount of dilution in the flow is increased, whereas the ignition temperature shows no dependence on the dilution level under the range of our conditions, showing that ignition is dependent only on the type and relative concentration of the active species.
Metabolic adaptation and the regulation of metabolism of a flagellate protozoan

Evidence is presented indicating metabolic adaptation for the utilization of propionate and butyrate by the flagellate, Polytomella agilis. The existence of a lag phase prior to exponential growth, and the inability of acetate-grown cells to readily oxidze these substrates support ths concluson. Two aspects of metabolic regulation are discussed. The inhibitory effect of azide on the growth and on oxidation of propionate and butyrate implicates the importance of ATP availability in the control mechanism. Oxidative metabolism is regulated to maintain a constant extent of substrate oxidation regardless of growth conditions. The Qo2 is related to the carbon source for growth, and not on the substrate to be oxidized. The rate of substrate utilization by adapted cells is less than that of unadapted cells.
The Fragmentation of Freezing Water Droplets in Free Fall

Abstract The fragmentation of water droplets during freezing has not been previously established under conditions which resemble those in natural clouds. In laboratory experiments designed to investigate this phenomenon it is important that the droplets be close to the equilibrium state with their environment prior to nucleation. In this paper theoretical expressions are derived which may be used to calculate the degree to which a droplet is in equilibrium with its environment as it falls through a gas which has a vertical gradient of temperature. Experiments are described in which the fragmentation of freezing droplets from 50–100 μ in diameter have been observed under conditions which are close to those in natural clouds. The fragmentation appeared to be independent of the nucleation temperature over the range investigated (−20 to −32C) and it also occurred for droplets nucleated at −8C by silver iodide in supension. Droplets from 20–50 μ in diameter were not observed to fragment during freezing.
Conformational analysis of human ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCB1 in lipid nanodiscs and inhibition by the antibodies MRK16 and UIC2.

The human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, P-glycoprotein (P-gp; ABCB1), mediates the ATP-dependent efflux of a variety of drugs. As a result, P-gp plays a critical role in tumor cell drug resistance and the pharmacokinetic properties of most drugs. P-gp exhibits extraordinary substrate and inhibitor promiscuity, resulting in a wide range of possible drug-drug interactions. Inhibitory antibodies have long been considered as a possible strategy to modulate P-gp-dependent cancer cell drug resistance, and it is widely suggested that the antibodies MRK16 and UIC2 inhibit P-gp by capturing a single isoform and preventing flux through the catalytic cycle. Although the crystal structures of many bacterial whole transporters, as well as isolated nucleotide-binding domains, have been solved, high resolution structural data for mammalian ABC transporters are currently lacking. It has been extremely difficult to determine the detailed mechanism of transport of P-gp, in part because it is difficult to obtain purified protein in well defined lipid systems. Here we exploit surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to probe conformational changes associated with these intermediate states for P-gp in lipid bilayer nanodiscs. The results indicate that P-gp in nanodiscs undergoes functionally relevant ligand-dependent conformational changes and that previously described inhibitory antibodies bind to multiple nucleotide-bound states but not the ADP-VO4-trapped state, which mimics the post-hydrolysis state. The results also suggest that the substrate drug vinblastine is released at stages that precede or follow the post-hydrolysis ADP-PO4·P-gp complex.
Analysis of the short-time unbiased spectrum estimation algorithm.

The short-time unbiased spectrum estimation (STUSE) algorithm is analyzed and expressions for the mean and variance of the spectrum estimates are derived. The STUSE algorithm deliberately adds biased spectrum estimates in order to yield unbiased estimates and at the same time have excellent spectral leakage suppression capabilities. Computer simulations are presented, verifying the theoretical results and also comparing the STUSE algorithm with the conventional weighted, overlapped, segment averaging (WOSA) method.
The Social Construction of Nature: Relativist Accusations, Pragmatist and Critical Realist Responses

Social constructivists argue that what we call “nature” isfar less universal and extrahuman than generally assumed. Yet this argument has been vigorously attacked by some natural scientists and other scholars due to what they perceive as its dangerous flirtation with relativism. I introduce this debate by reference to a recent controversy over the concept of wilderness, an important icon of nature in North America. I then define several forms of relativism, and compare two contemporary bodies of thought that are in broad agreement with social constructivism, yet do not promote strong forms of relativism: critical realism and pragmatism. For its part, critical realism is marked by a qualified, though vigorous, rejection of strong forms of relativism in understanding nature, whereas pragmatism involves more of an agnostic response, a sense that the so-called problem of relativism is not as serious as critics of the social-construction-of-nature argument would believe. Taken together, the two approaches offe...
Management Strategies for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is challenging and requires an accurate diagnosis. Although currently there is no convincing therapy that prolongs survival in patients with HFpEF, treatment of fluid retention and of comorbidities, such as hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and atrial fibrillation, may improve symptoms and quality of life. Future outcome trials testing the efficacy of promising new agents will have better characterization of patient phenotype to maximize the potential response to therapies. This article provides current management strategies available for HFpEF, gives an overview of previous trials that have failed to prove the benefit of therapies to improve outcomes, and highlights promising novel therapies.
The growth rate of dendrites in undercooled tin

The dendrite growth velocity has been determined for tin in melts undercooled as much as 40°C (approximately twice the maximum undercooling reported previously). The results can be represented approximately asV = 0.8 (ΔT) 2 WhereV is the growth velocity in mm s−1 and ΔT is the undercooling in degrees centrigrade.
Blood Is a Precious Resource—Does It Really Matter Who Donates It?

An outstanding achievement in the prevention of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection has been the significant reduction in transfusion-acquired HIV infection resulting mainly from effective...
A Case of Transcatheter Closure of an Atrial Septal Defect Guided by Three Dimensional Echocardiography

Abstract Real time three dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (RT3DE) is rapidly emerging as the imaging modality of choice for assessment of atrial septal defects. This novel imaging modality provides incremental information about the morphology of atrial septal defects (ASD), allowing precise characterization of septal defects. Our case highlights the limitations of conventional echo imaging and the advantages of RT3DE in planning percutaneous ASD closure.
TRIMming Flavivirus Infection

Tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins are novel players in antiviral innate immunity. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Taylor et al. (2011) discover the mechanism of action of TRIM79α and show that this interferon-induced protein restricts tick-borne flaviviruses by targeting the viral polymerase for degradation.
Eyelid Closure in Embryogenesis Is Required for Ocular Adnexa Development

Purpose Mammalian eye development requires temporary fusion of the upper and lower eyelids in embryogenesis. Failure of lid closure in mice leads to an eye open at birth (EOB) phenotype. Many genetic mutant strains develop this phenotype and studies of the mutants lead to a better understanding of the signaling mechanisms of morphogenesis. The present study investigates the roles of lid closure in eye development. Methods Seven mutant mouse strains were generated by different gene ablation strategies that inactivated distinct signaling pathways. These mice, including systemic ablation of Map3k1 and Dkk2, ocular surface epithelium (OSE) knockout of c-Jun and Egfr, conditional knockout of Shp2 in stratified epithelium (SE), as well as the Map3k1/Jnk1 and Map3k1/Rhoa compound mutants, all exhibited defective eyelid closure. The embryonic and postnatal eyes in these mice were characterized by histology and immunohistochemistry. Results Some eye abnormalities, such as smaller lens in the Map3k1-null mice and Harderian gland hypoplasia in the Dkk2-null mice, appeared to be mutant strain-specific, whereas other abnormalities were seen in all mutants examined. The common defects included corneal erosion/ulceration, meibomian gland hypoplasia, truncation of the eyelid tarsal muscles, failure of levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) extension into the upper eyelid and misplacement of the inferior oblique (IO) muscle and inferior rectus (IR) muscle. The muscle defects were traced to the prenatal fetuses. Conclusions In addition to providing a protective barrier for the ocular surface, eyelid closure in embryogenesis is required for the development of ocular adnexa, including eyelid and extraocular muscles.
An Energy Efficient 32-nm 20-MB Shared On-Die L3 Cache for Intel® Xeon® Processor E5 Family

An energy efficient on-die 20-way set associative L3 cache of size 20 MB for the Intel® Xeon® processor E5 family is presented. It is manufactured in the Intel's 32-nm second generation of high-K dielectric metal gate process with 9-copper metal layers. The L3 cache design uses 0.2119 um 2 cell for the high density big array and 0.2725 um 2cell for the high performance smaller arrays. The power efficiency was achieved by employing advanced power saving schemes and effective Vccmin design techniques. The proposed L3 cache topology seamlessly supports a high density modular and energy efficient designs. The effective and rich redundancy design improves both yield and low voltage operations. The L3 cache achieves more than 20-40% energy efficiency when compared to previous generations and demonstrates wide operating ranges from 1.2 GHz at below 0.7 V to greater than 4.0 GHz at above 1.0 V.
Functional similarity and molecular divergence of a novel reproductive transcriptome in two male-pregnant Syngnathus pipefish species

Evolutionary studies have revealed that reproductive proteins in animals and plants often evolve more rapidly than the genome-wide average. The causes of this pattern, which may include relaxed purifying selection, sexual selection, sexual conflict, pathogen resistance, reinforcement, or gene duplication, remain elusive. Investigative expansions to additional taxa and reproductive tissues have the potential to shed new light on this unresolved problem. Here, we embark on such an expansion, in a comparison of the brood-pouch transcriptome between two male-pregnant species of the pipefish genus Syngnathus. Male brooding tissues in syngnathid fishes represent a novel, nonurogenital reproductive trait, heretofore mostly uncharacterized from a molecular perspective. We leveraged next-generation sequencing (Roche 454 pyrosequencing) to compare transcript abundance in the male brooding tissues of pregnant with nonpregnant samples from Gulf (S. scovelli) and dusky (S. floridae) pipefish. A core set of protein-coding genes, including multiple members of astacin metalloprotease and c-type lectin gene families, is consistent between species in both the direction and magnitude of expression bias. As predicted, coding DNA sequence analysis of these putative “male pregnancy proteins” suggests rapid evolution relative to nondifferentially expressed genes and reflects signatures of adaptation similar in magnitude to those reported from Drosophila male accessory gland proteins. Although the precise drivers of male pregnancy protein divergence remain unknown, we argue that the male pregnancy transcriptome in syngnathid fishes, a clade diverse with respect to brooding morphology and mating system, represents a unique and promising object of study for understanding the perplexing evolutionary nature of reproductive molecules.
A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF PLASTOQUINONE A IN TWO THERMOPHILIC BLUE‐GREEN ALGAE1

SUMMARY The thermophilic blue-green alga Synechococcus lividus strain Y52 was shown to have plastoquinone (PQ) types A, B, and C. The values PQA per cell and chlorophyll a per cell are presented with the changes in the ratio of PQA to chlorophyll a for cells grown at different light intensities.
Aerobic production of isoamyl acetate by overexpression of the yeast alcohol acetyl-transferases AFT1 and AFT2 in Escherichia coli and using low-cost fermentation ingredients

Isoamyl acetate, produced via fermentation, is a natural flavor chemical with applications in the food industry. Two alcohol acetyltransferases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATF1 and ATF2) can catalyze the esterification of isoamyl alcohol with acetyl coenzyme A. The respective genes were cloned and expressed in an appropriate ack-pta − strain of Escherichia coli. The engineered strains produce isoamyl acetate when isoamyl alcohol is added to the culture medium. Aerobic shake flask experiments examined isoamyl acetate production over various growth times, temperatures, and initial optical densities. The strain carrying the pBAD-ATF1 plasmid exhibited a high molar ester yield from glucose (1.13) after 48 h of aerobic growth at 25 °C. Low-cost media components, such as fusel oil, sorghum glucose and corn steep liquor, were found to give a high yield of isoamyl acetate. High-cell-density gave an increased isoamyl acetate yield of 0.18 g/g of glucose consumed.
Paramecium jenningsi, n. sp.

SYNOPSIS. A new species of Paramecium, P. jenningsi, n. sp., from South India, is described. It is like P. aurelia except that nuclei are larger, the cell size is somewhat larger, and the macronuclear anlagen (“placentae”) have long-persisting chromatinic centers.
Gender differences in adverse outcomes after blunt trauma

BackgroundHigh testosterone and low estradiol levels induce immunosuppression and adverse outcome after trauma in male animals. Gender-based outcome differences in human trauma have not been investigated. In order to test our hypothesis that female gender is associated with improved outcome after tr
Editor's puzzle: combinatorial auction winner determination

Solutions should be sent to the editor at conitzer@cs.duke.edu with subject header SIGecom Exchanges Puzzle. The author(s) of the most elegant solution (as judged by the editor) will be allowed to ...
Two-Phase Flow in a Gas Flow Channel of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Two-phase flow behavior in a mini channel is studied by both experimental and numerical methods. Various surface conditions are considered to capture the fundamental characteristics of water droplet behavior in a PEMFC gas channel. In the considered rectangular channel with 1 mm height, critical velocity for annular flow type is measured as 1∼2 m/s of superficial air velocity. Two-phase flow pattern shows some uncertainty near transition zone with aluminum surface. With carbon paper GDL, two-phase flow pattern is stabilized. Measured two-phase pressure drop data explains the relation between two-phase flow pattern and two-phase pressure drop. Numerical simulation using VOF technique successfully mimicked the development of water droplet and corner flow as well as formation of a slug. It also explains the possibility of random slug formation with aluminum surface and stabilized two-phase flow pattern with carbon paper GDLs.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Educational programmes in ergonomics A world-wide profile∗

This paper summarizes the results of a survey conducted as part of an effort to publish an International Directory of Educational Programs in Ergonomics/Human Factors. Data from 156 programmes located in 28 countries around the world are presented in terms of departmental location, programme title, names of degrees offered, major emphases of programmes, and subjects available to students. Statistical information on the number of faculty and students, as well as on their ergonomics society involvement, is also given. The affiliations of programmes with academic departments are quite diverse. Programme titles and areas of study emphasized also vary considerably from continent to continent. Regarding the degree level at which education is offered, many European institutions have strong undergraduate (bachelor's level) programmes, while in the United States most programmes emphasize postgraduate study leading to the doctoral degree. All told, in terms of a 1979 world-wide profile, the survey data confirm the ...
Cognitive‐behavioral treatment of depressed affect among epileptics: Preliminary findings

Controlled study showed skills training for the management of depression in an epilepsy population to be effective. Cognitive-behavioral methods were utilized in a structured learning format with 13 clinically depressed epileptic "students." Significantly greater reductions in dysphoria/depression as measured by the Depression Adjective Checklist and the Generalized Contentment Scale occurred among Ss in the treatment group than among control group Ss. Significant decreases in anger and anxiety/stress and increases in social activities were noted on the Community Adjustment Questionnaire (CAQ). Similar trends were evident on the Beck Depression Inventory and the CAQ depression scale.
Density-driven instabilities of variable-viscosity miscible fluids in a capillary tube.

A BSTRACT : A linear stability analysis is presented for variable-viscosity miscible fluids in an unstable configuration; that is, a heavier fluid placed above a lighter one in a vertically oriented capillary tube. The initial interface thickness is treated as a parameter to the problem. The analysis is based on the three-dimensional Stokes equations, coupled to a convection-diffusion equation for the concentration field, in cylindrical coordinates. When both fluids have identical viscosities, the dispersion relations show that for all values of the governing parameters the three-dimensional mode with an azimuthal wave number of one represents the most unstable disturbance. The stability results also indicate the existence of a critical Rayleigh number of about 920, below which all perturbations are stable. For the variable viscosity case, the growth rate does not depend on which of the two fluids is more viscous. For every parameter combination the maximum of the eigenfunctions tends to shift toward the less viscous fluid. With increasing mobility ratio, the instability is damped uniformly. We observe a crossover of the most unstable mode from azimuthal to axisymmetric perturbations for Rayleigh numbers greater than 10 5 and high mobility ratios. Hence, the damping influence is much stronger on the three-dimensional mode than the corresponding axisymmetric mode for large Rayleigh numbers. For a fixed mobility ratio, similar to the constant viscosity case, the growth rates are seen to reach a plateau for Rayleigh numbers in excess of 10 6 . At higher mobility ratios, interestingly, the largest growth rates and unstable wave numbers are obtained for intermediate interface thicknesses. This demonstrates that, for variable viscosities, thicker interfaces can be more unstable than their thinner counterparts, which is in contrast to the constant viscosity result where growth rate was seen to decline monotonically with increasing interface thickness.
DBParser: Web-Based Software for Shotgun Proteomic Data Analyses

We describe a web-based program called ‘DBParser' for rapidly culling, merging, and comparing sequence search engine results from multiple LC−MS/MS peptide analyses. DBParser employs the principle ...
LABORATORY PERFORMANCE OF RECYCLED ASPHALT CONCRETE

Addition of rejuvenating oils to aged, dry asphaltic pavement materials to restore them to their original condition is a practice currently being used on many construction projects. Typically, the effect of renjuvenation is measured using standard mix design procedures such as stability. This research was aimed at providing information on the behavior of rejuvenated mixtures when subjected to accelerated aging such as repeated freezing and thawing and sustained high temperature. The nondestructive resilient modulus test was used to monitor the change in recycled mix from an old pavement, new mix made with virgin asphalt, and old mix rejuvenated with two commercially available admixtures. Results indicated that old mixtures continued to age rapidly and the rejuvenated mixtures behaved similarly to virgin mixtures. (Author)