cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tyrosine Kinase Activation by the Angiotensin II Receptor in the Absence of Calcium Signaling

The angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor signals via heterotrimeric G-proteins and intracellular tyrosine kinases. Here, we investigate a modified AT1 receptor, termed M5, where the last five tyrosines (residues 292, 302, 312, 319, and 339) within the intracellular carboxyl tail have been mutated to phenylalanine. This receptor did not elevate cytosolic free calcium or inositol phosphate production in response to angiotensin II, suggesting an uncoupling of the receptor from G-protein activation. Despite this, the M5 receptor still activated tyrosine kinases, induced STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and stimulated cell proliferation. We also studied another AT1mutant receptor, D74E, stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovarian cells and a fibroblast cell line from mice with a genetic inactivation of Gαq/11. Both cell lines have a deficit in calcium signaling and in G-protein activation, and yet in both cell lines, angiotensin II induced the time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1. These studies are the first to show the ability of a seven-transmembrane receptor to activate intracellular tyrosine kinase pathways in the absence of a G-protein-coupled rise in intracellular calcium.
Influence of temperature and nature of hydrophobic groups on thermodynamic parameters of hydrophobic bonding in a model polymeric system and their implications in drug‐biopolymer interactions

By using a model polymeric system, the thermodynamic parameters of hydrophobic bonding between the alkyl groups as well as between two methylene groups were determined. This was accomplished by studying the binding of the anions of fatty acids, propionate through caproate, by the hexyl copolymer from 28 to 45°. The hexyl copolymer was synthesized by quaternizing with hexyl bromide the vinylpyridine units of a copolymer of an overall composition of 1 unit of vinylpyridine to 22 units of vinylpyrrolidone. The hexyl vinylpyridinium units of the copolymer are shown to constitute the definite sites for hydrophobic bonding. The results of the present study, together with those of a previous study, revealed the influence of temperature and the nature of hydrophobic groups on the thermodynamic parameters of hydrophobic bonding. The significance of these characteristic properties of hydrophobic bonding in drug-biopolymer interactions is discussed. A GLC method, developed for quantitative determination of the fatty acids, is described.
Growing Pt nanowires as a densely packed array on metal gauze.

This paper describes the synthesis of single-crystal nanowires of Pt directly on the surface of metal gauze made of Pt or W and demonstrates a more attractive approach for the growth of Pt nanowires on functional solid supports. There is evidence that the growth mechanism of the nanowires is correlated to the concentration of the Pt precursor and the surface roughness of the substrate. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the active surface area of the Pt nanowire-coated gauze is about 2−3 orders of magnitude greater than the pristine gauze. The results described herein demonstrate a new type of conductive support that can be used as active components for fuel cell applications and as an ideal 3D model catalyst.
Something old, something new: culture and CEO compensation revisited

Purpose – This study is a replication of Tosi and Greckhamer's work examining how uncertainty avoidance, power distance, individualism and masculinity/femininity are related to total CEO pay, the ratio of variable to total CEO pay and the ratio of CEO pay to the pay of the lowest level employees in 23 countries. Its main purpose is to investigate whether the replication confirms, questions or extends the results of TG2004. Design/methodology/approach – Tosi and Greckhamer used generalized linear modeling (GLS) to analyze the relationships between Hofstede's four cultural dimensions and CEO compensation. In the replication, the author used GLS to retest the original seven hypotheses with more recent data from Hofstede and test the same hypotheses relying on cultural values and practices scores from the GLOBE study. Further, using firm-level data unavailable for the original study, the author analyzed fixed and random effects in mixed models. Findings – The replication generally confirms the findings of the...
Mitochondrial DNA sequence revealed contrasting demographic history between the black bullhead ( Ameiurus melas ) and its cryptic lineage in North America

The black bullhead, Ameiurus melas of the family Ictaluridae, is a freshwater fish native to North America that was introduced throughout Europe in the late 1800s. Using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a genetic marker, the present study investigates the genetic structure and historical demography of A. melas in North America. MtDNA-based phylogenetic analyses revealed the existence of two distinct lineages (A and B) of A. melas. While lineage A clustered with the previously reported sequences of A. melas, lineage B emerged as a unique clade like other species of the genus Ameiurus. Individuals belonging to lineage B were mostly from the south central region of the United States, the region that never glaciated during the last Ice Age. Results of a fossil-based molecular clock analysis suggest that lineage A and the paraphyletic lineage B of A. melas diverged from their respective common ancestors approximately 3 (±0.2) and 15.9 (±1.3) million years ago. Lineage B could possibly be a hybrid species, possessing the mtDNA haplotype of its maternal parent, an Ameiurus species that has gone extinct. While lineage A showed evidence of population expansion, lineage B did not show any evidence of population expansion, but rather is comprised of geographically structured populations.
Crystallization of cauliflower mosaic virus

Abstract Cauliflower mosaic virus has been crystallized in hanging and sitting drops. The hexagonal and octahedrally shaped crystals are up to 0.5 mm in mean diameter. The octahedrally shaped crystals diffract to about 27 /rA resolution. The results are discussed in relation to the ]ability and aggregation of the vlrlons.
Shell-model and β-decay calculations for the A = 211 isobars

Abstract Shell-model wave functions and energies are obtained for 211 Pb, 211 Bi and 211 Po in the basis [ v2 g 9 2 ] n [πh 9 2 ] 3− n . In 211 Bi the 2 f 7 2 proton orbital is also included for the case of paired neutrons. Electromagnetic and β-decay transition rates are calculated and compared with experiment. In particular the resulting wave function for the first excited state of 211 Bi reproduces the log ft value for β-decay from 211 Pb and the angular correlation coefficient A 2 , but not the electromagnetic properties.
Complete cross-validation and R-factor calculation of a solid-state NMR derived structure

Cross-validation of a solid-state NMR-derived membrane polypeptide structure is demonstrated. An initial structure has been achieved directly from solid-state NMR derived orientational restraints based on a variety of anisotropic nuclear spin interactions. Refining the molecular structure involves setting up a penalty function that incorporates all available solid-state NMR experimental data and an energy function. A validation method is required to choose the optimal weighting factor for the total penalty function to balance the contribution from the experimental restraints and the energy function. Complete cross-validation has been used to avoid over-fitting the orientational restraints. Such cross-validation involves partitioning of the experimental data into a test set and a working set followed by checking the free R-value during the refinement process. This approach is similar to the method used in crystallography and solution NMR. Optimizing the weighting factor on the penalty function by cross-validation will increase the quality of the refined structure from solid-state NMR data. The complete cross-validation and R-factor calculation is demonstrated using experimental solid-state NMR data from gramicidin A, a monovalent cation channel in lipid bilayers.
Beyond nested parallelism: tight bounds on work-stealing overheads for parallel futures

Work stealing is a popular method of scheduling fine-grained parallel tasks. The performance of work stealing has been extensively studied, both theoretically and empirically, but primarily for the restricted class of nested-parallel (or fully strict) computations. We extend this prior work by considering a broader class of programs that also supports pipelined parallelism through the use of parallel futures.Though the overhead of work-stealing schedulers is often quantified in terms of the number of steals, we show that a broader metric, the number of deviations, is a better way to quantify work-stealing overhead for less restrictive forms of parallelism, including parallel futures. For such parallelism, we prove bounds on work-stealing overheads--scheduler time and cache misses--as a function of the number of deviations. Deviations can occur, for example, when work is stolen or when a future is touched. We also show instances where deviations can occur independently of steals and touches.Next, we prove that, under work stealing, the expected number of deviations is O(Pd + td) in a P-processor execution of a computation with span d and t touches of futures. Moreover, this bound is existentially tight for any work-stealing scheduler that is parsimonious (those where processors steal only when their queues are empty); this class includes all prior work-stealing schedulers. We also present empirical measurements of the number of deviations incurred by a classic application of futures, Halstead's quicksort, using our parallel implementation of ML. Finally, we identify a family of applications that use futures and, in contrast to quicksort, incur significantly smaller overheads.
Stability of gauged d = 7 supergravity and the definition of masslessness in (adS)7

Abstract We analyze the two parameter scalar potential of the gauged d = 7 simple (N = 2) supergravity theory. The potential has a local minimum and a local maximum. The latter provides a supersymmetric anti-deSitter background which we show to be stable with respect to arbitrarily large fluctuations of the gravitational and scalar fields. The “apparent mass terms” agree with those obtained by a Kaluza-Klein analysis of the N = 4, d = 7 theory.
In search of the neural channel which codes real light and equivalent backgrounds.

Abstract Arduini and Pinneo suggest that the channel which, in the cat, codes background luminance is the statistical tonic activity of an ensemble of neurons rather than the firing rates of a particular subset of neurons. Many lines of evidence suggest that the presence of bleached rhodopsin in retinal receptors leads to a signal to the rod pool and the retinal ganglion cells which sums with that signal due to a real light background. Does one find, then, that a state of bleaching adaptation and its equivalent real light background both are associated with the same value of tonic, ensemble activity? This research suggests that tonic, ensemble activity codes neither real nor equivalent background luminances in the rabbit. Further, data which suggests tonic activity codes background luminance in the cat is questionable. A discussion of alternatives is presented.
History of Mathematics: Building Relationships for Teaching and Learning.

Abstract Dewey (1938) suggested curriculum development should consider both the relationship between students' life experiences and interests and the material to be learned, and the relationship among educative experiences as unfolding in meaningful and useful ways. This study explored the influence of a mathematics education curriculum incorporating historical topics on students' meaning-making efforts as they developed both as students of mathematics and as preservice elementary mathematics teachers. The underlying question of this study was: How may a mathematics education curriculum, infused with evolving historical explorations over several semesters, help students make sense of their own mathematics and their future roles as mathematics teachers in elementary schools? The curriculum provided experiences with historical topics in mathematics, organized over three different semesters, in order to explore Dewey's notion that the unfolding of mathematical ideas may occur as historical origins and contex...
Effect of Astroglial Degeneration on Neonatal Blood–Brain Barrier Marker Expression

Abstract Numerous studies have demonstrated that astroglial influence is necessary to maintain several blood–brain barrier (BBB) characteristics in CNS-derived endothelial cellsin vitro.In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that intact perivascular astrocytes are essential contributors to the maintenance of particular BBB properties within the developing microvasculature of the postnatal rat CNSin situ.Astroglial cells were selectively injured following chronic systemic injections of the antimetabolite 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) during the first postnatal week. Throughout the CNS, the majority of perivascular astroglial endfeet were swollen and contained degenerating organelles. The brain microvasculature was examined at Postnatal Days 6–12 and the histochemical and immunohistochemical expressions of the brain endothelial glucose transporter (Glut1), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), and endothelial barrier antigen (EBA) were qualitatively analyzed. Despite the apparent perivascular astroglial degeneration, all of the BBB markers examined were robustly expressed throughout the CNS and were comparable to age-matched controls. Moreover,3[H]thymidine labeling revealed that the vascular endothelium continued to proliferate, albeit at a decreased rate when compared to age-matched controls. The results suggest that, in contrast to the majority ofin vitrostudies, the postnatal brain microvasculature continues to express Glut1, γ-GT, and EBAin situwithout the influence of continuously manufactured, astrocyte-derived substances.
Acute Exercise Stimulates the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Axis: Adaptive Changes in Runners

The plasma concentrations of aldosterone and its known regulators, plasma renin, potassium and ACTH, were examined during graded intensities of treadmill exercise (50, 70 and 90% of maximal oxygen upt
Fostering Trade in a Hostile International Environment: Discussion

The papers by Premier Devine and Secretary Miller argue for a saner approach to world trade in agricultural commodities. Both see their countries as the injured parties in a trade war between the giants-the United States and the European Community. Not only are they the injured parties, which is bad enough, but it is made worse because they see themselves as the good guys. This is the stuff martyrdom is made of. They see themselves as free traders, and both papers provide a spirited defense of free trade. The papers also forcefully document the evils of inward-looking protectionism as perpetrated by the bad guys. Parenthetically, one has to wonder that if this were a meeting of American, European, and Japanese agricultural economists, who would they bash (brand as the bad guys). In these two papers, as well as over the course of the past three days, world agricultural trade has been discussed without a clear delineation of the conception of the world market being discussed. In these discussions I have heard at least three different perceptions being used: (a) The "comparative advantage" world. In this conception, everybody does what they are best at doing, trading that output for other goods. In theory, this world makes every country better off. Often, however, we forget that this does not mean every individual in every country is better off. A move to free trade generates both winners and los-
Detecting Rare and common Variants for complex traits: sibpair and odds ratio weighted sum statistics (SPWSS, ORWSS)

It is generally known that risk variants segregate together with a disease within families, but this information has not been used in the existing statistical methods for detecting rare variants. Here we introduce two weighted sum statistics that can apply to either genome-wide association data or resequencing data for identifying rare disease variants: weights calculated based on sibpairs and odd ratios, respectively. We evaluated the two methods via extensive simulations under different disease models. We compared the proposed methods with the weighted sum statistic (WSS) proposed by Madsen and Browning, keeping the same genotyping or resequencing cost. Our methods clearly demonstrate more statistical power than the WSS. In addition, we found that using sibpair information can increase power over using only unrelated samples by more than 40%. We applied our methods to the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) and Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) hypertension datasets. Although we did not identify any genes as reaching a genome-wide significance level, we found variants in the candidate gene angiotensinogen significantly associated with hypertension at P = 6.9 × 10(-4), whereas the most significant single SNP association evidence is P = 0.063. We further applied the odds ratio weighted method to the IFIH1 gene for type-1 diabetes in the WTCCC data. Our method yielded a P-value of 4.82 × 10(-4), much more significant than that obtained by haplotype-based methods. We demonstrated that family data are extremely informative in searching for rare variants underlying complex traits, and the odds ratio weighted sum statistic is more efficient than currently existing methods.
A Modular Stacked DC transmission and distribution system for long distance subsea applications

A new power transmission and distribution concept-Modular Stacked DC (MSDC) - architecture is described. Its main application is subsea oil and gas processing, where marinization of system components, their reliability and retrieval are the most critical requirements. In contrast to conventional HVDC systems, the proposed MSDC technology achieves the required DC transmission voltage by stacking a number of power converter building blocks in series that are easy to marinize. Since each building block is similar to a standard VFD, the MSDC technology has potentially much lower cost and higher reliability. Moreover, the modular architecture renders the system fault-tolerant and capable of operating in a degraded mode. The architecture is also highly reconfigurable as the field matures and the loads evolve over time. A generic subsea field scenario for oil and gas has been designed and analyzed. The MSDC architecture and associated system control strategy are developed and tested using a real-time simulation platform together with an experimental scaled down prototype of 160 kVA.
Receptor-activated Ca2+ Influx via Human Trp3 Stably Expressed in Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK)293 Cells EVIDENCE FOR A NON-CAPACITATIVE Ca2+ ENTRY

Ca2+ release from its internal stores as a result of activation of phospholipase C is accompanied by Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. Ca2+influx channels may be formed of proteins homologous toDrosophila Trp. At least six non-allelic Trpgenes are present in the mouse genome. Full-length human, bovine, mouse, and rat cDNAs for Trp1, 3, 4, 6 have been cloned. Expression of these genes in various mammalian cells has provided evidence that Trp proteins form plasma membrane Ca2+-permeant channels that can be activated by an agonist that activates phospholipase C, by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and/or store depletion. We have stably expressed human Trp3 (hTrp3) in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells. Measurement of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in Fura2-loaded cells showed that cell lines expressing hTrp3 have significantly higher basal and agonist-stimulated influxes of Ca2+, Mn2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+ than control cells. The increase in Ca2+ entry attributable to the expression of hTrp3 obtained upon store depletion by thapsigargin was much lower than that obtained by stimulation with agonists acting via a Gq-coupled receptor. Addition of agonists to thapsigargin-treated Trp3 cells resulted in a further increase in the entry of divalent cations. The increased cation entry in Trp3 cells was blocked by high concentrations of SKF 96365, verapamil, La3+, Ni2+, and Gd3+. The Trp3-mediated Ca2+ influx activated by agonists was inhibited by a phospholipase C inhibitor, U73122. We propose that expression of hTrp3 in these cells forms a non-selective cation channel that opens after the activation of phospholipase C but not after store depletion. In addition, a subpopulation of the expressed hTrp3 may form heteromultimeric channels with endogenous proteins that are sensitive to store depletion.
Comparison of LigAmp and an ASPCR assay for detection and quantification of K103N-containing HIV variants.

ABSTRACT We compared the ability of the LigAmp assay and an ASPCR assay to detect and quantify K103N-containing HIV variants in samples from 63 women who received single-dose nevirapine in a clinical trial. Samples were first analyzed with the ViroSeq HIV Genotyping system, and ViroSeq PCR products were used as templates for the LigAmp and ASPCR assays. A cutoff of 0.5% K103N for detection of K103N was used for both assays. Results for the percentage K103N were similar for the two assays (R2 = 0.92). Forty-six samples (73.0%) were positive for K103N by both assays and 13 samples (20.6%) were negative by both assays. Four samples (6.3%) were positive by ASPCR only. No samples were positive by LigAmp only. Eight discordant samples were analyzed in more detail. Sequence polymorphisms near oligonucleotide binding sites provided a possible explanation for the discordance in four of eight samples. The percentage K103N was also determined by analyzing 40 HIV clones from each of these eight samples, using a combi...
Effects of low levels of methacrylic acid on the swelling behavior of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

The effects of low levels of methacrylic acid (MAA) (less than 4 mol %) and a crosslinker (less than 0.3 mol %) on the equilibrium swelling and water content of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogels were investigated. Numerous pHEMA disks, some of which were doped with small amounts of MAA, were placed in swelling baths simulating possible urological as well as physiological conditions. Several interesting facts are reported, such as, in dilute urea (0.15M) or in alkali solution, gels containing 2% MAA are capable of swelling to 3600% their size in mild acid, saline, or distilled water, with associated water contents that range as high as 98%. Also, gels containing small amounts of MAA and finite crosslinker content can be made that are soluble in mild urea or alkali solution. The significance of this study is that gels or gel surfaces can be fabricated that are highly responsive to their environment. In addition, since the level of MAA that cause this shrink–swell behavior are well within the impurity levels of MAA found in unpurified commercial HEMA, it is conceivable that this shrink–swell behavior may have occurred in early studies of implanted pHEMA gels, thus confusing the subsequent evaluation of its performance as a biomaterial.
Efficient graph-cut tattoo segmentation

Law enforcement is interested in exploiting tattoos as an information source to identify, track and prevent gang-related crimes. Many tattoo image retrieval systems have been described. In a retrieval system tattoo segmentation is an important step for retrieval accuracy since segmentation removes background information in a tattoo image. Existing segmentation methods do not extract the tattoo very well when the background includes textures and color similar to skin tones. In this paper we describe a tattoo segmentation approach by determining skin pixels in regions near the tattoo. In these regions graph-cut segmentation using a skin color model and a visual saliency map is used to find skin pixels. After segmentation we determine which set of skin pixels are connected with each other that form a closed contour including a tattoo. The regions surrounded by the closed contours are considered tattoo regions. Our method segments tattoos well when the background includes textures and color similar to skin.
Prediction of job satisfaction from characteristics of personal work goals

This paper examines the relationship of job satisfaction to dimensions of employee personal work goals. Based on past theory and research, it was hypothesized that the probability of goal success, positivity and negativity of goals, goal commitment, expected negative consequences for goal attainment, and goal clarity would be related to job satisfaction. A mixed idiographic-nomothetic technique was used to assess the personal goals and perceived goal dimensions of 150 employees. Most hypotheses were confirmed, indicating that employees were more satisfied with their jobs to the extent that they had higher goal commitment, perceived high chances of success for attaining their goals, and had few negative goals in their job situation. In addition, two indices of goal clarity, knowing the means for goal attainment and having specific deadlines for goal attainment were also related to satisfaction. The results suggest that the goal dimensions important for performance and motivation may also be responsible for job satisfaction. Implications for the design of goal setting programs to maximize both performance and satisfaction are discussed.
Canopy Reflectance-Based Nitrogen Management Strategies for Subsurface Drip Irrigated Cotton in the Texas High Plains

Nitrogen fertilizer management in subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) can be very efficient when N is injected with the irrigation water (fertigated) on a daily basis. However, the daily rates and total amounts of N fertigation are uncertain. Normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), calculated from weekly canopy reflectance measurements can guide N management in SDI cotton. The objective of this 3-yr study (2007―2009) on an Acuff sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Aridic Paleustolls) near Lubbock, TX, was to test two canopy reflectance-based strategies for estimating and adjusting injection rates of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) fertilizer between first square and early mid-bloom. We also evaluated three N rates; 50, 100, and 150% of the soil test-based N recommendation for a 1400 kg lint ha ―1 yield goal. In the reflectance-based N strategy-1 (RN1), UAN was injected starting at first square at 50% of the soil test N rate. When NDVI in RN1 fell significantly below NDVI of plots with 100% soil test N, the N injection rate was increased to match the injection rate of the 100% soil test plots. The reflectance-based N strategy-2 (RN2) had an initial N injection rate equal to that of the 100% soil test N, and was raised to match the 150% soil test N based on NDVI. Nitrogen rates for the RN1 averaged across 3 yr were 22 kg N ha ―1 less, or 31% less than the soil test treatment, without hurting lint or seed yields. In 2007, N rates with RN2 were 11 kg N ha ―1 higher than the soil test N rate, without anyyield benefit. Economic optimum N rates for lint production ranged from 23 kg N ha ―1 in 2009 to 75 kg N ha ―1 in 2008.
A New Approach for Estimating Purity of Processed Flax Fibre by NIR Spectroscopy

Flax must be retted, in which bast fibres are separated from non-fibre components, and then mechanically processed to clean the fibres before industrial application. In the USDA Flax Fiber Pilot Plant, flax is first cleaned through four separate modules and then passed through a Shirley Analyzer to further clean fibres for high-value applications such as textiles. Often, multiple passages through the Shirley Analyzer are employed to obtain higher quality fibres, but it is difficult to determine when the limit for cleanliness is reached by this method. Further, it is clear that materials other than the woody shive components are being removed by Shirley-cleaning, and a method is needed to assess cleanliness beyond the measure for shives. In this study, we attempted to establish an index to determine the degree of purity of flax fibre during the secondary cleaning stage for high quality fibre. Dew-retted (DR) flax and enzyme-retted (ER) flax, which had been first processed through the USDA Flax Fiber Pilot Plant and assessed for shive content, were processed with 10 repetitions of cleaning through the Shirley Analyzer. For both flax samples, absorbances at 1730, 1766, 2312 and 2350 nm decreased with successive Shirley-cleaning steps. These wavelengths appeared to originate from the epidermal layer (EL) that was associated with the flax fibre, an index was calculated using 11 training samples and validated using 10 independent test samples from the same flax samples. Index values gradually decreased with successive Shirley-cleaning steps for both retted flax samples; a lower index value indicated cleaner fibre. Different curves were apparent for the two flax samples, suggesting variations in the cleanliness of the starting material or perhaps differencess in fibre composition. The results suggest it is possible to determine the extent of cleaning of flax fibre using NIR spectroscopy beyond that for shive content based on the epidermal layer of the plant.
Religiosity, Empathy, and Psychopathology among Young Adult Children of Rabbis:

Rabbis’ children experience unique stresses which may make them particularly susceptible to various forms of psychopathology. Fifty-three rabbis’ children completed questionnaires assessing their frequency of religious service attendance, their reactions towards being a rabbi’s child, empathy levels, depressive, anxious, and disordered eating symptoms. Linear regression analyses were used for the separate outcome variables of depressive, anxiety, and disordered eating symptoms. More dissatisfaction with life as a rabbi’s child was significantly associated with higher levels of depressive, Oral Control, and Bulimia and Food Preoccupation symptoms. Attending services daily was associated with higher levels of anxiety and Oral Control symptoms. Higher empathy levels were associated with higher anxiety, depressive and dieting symptoms. Finally, men demonstrated higher scores for Oral Control and women for Bulimia and Food Preoccupation. Counseling may be useful to aid rabbis’ children who may be challenged with depressive, anxious and disordered eating symptoms.
Late Prenatal Diagnosis of Hydrometrocolpos Secondary to a Cloacal Anomaly by Abdominal Ultrasonography with Complementary Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Summary Objective Prenatal diagnosis of a cloacal anomaly is difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assist in the identification of the connection and continuity of a cystic mass to confirm the diagnosis of a cloacal anomaly. Case Reports In the first case, a fetal abdominal cystic mass was observed at 32 weeks of gestation. Ultrasonography revealed a retrovesical septate hypoechoic mass with bilateral hydronephrosis. MRI demonstrated a midline cystic mass connected to a dilated uterus and a possible fistula between the bladder and vagina. In the second case, a fetal abdominal septate cystic mass was identified using ultrasonography at 34 weeks of gestation. MRI was performed and demonstrated hydrocolpos/hydrometrocolpos originating from a uterine didelphis with left dysgenesis and a possible vesicovaginal fistula. After birth, both newborns underwent immediate surgical intervention with good outcomes. Conclusion MRI facilitated the prenatal diagnosis of cloacal anomalies and allowed additional time for parental counseling and planning of the delivery method with subsequent neonatal intensive care and surgical and urologic consultations.
Lipid headgroup superlattice modulates the activity of surface-acting cholesterol oxidase in ternary phospholipid/cholesterol bilayers.

The relationship between the molecular organization of lipid headgroups and the activity of surface-acting enzyme was examined using a bacterial cholesterol oxidase (COD) as a model. The initial rate of cholesterol oxidation by COD in fluid state 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine/1- palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol (POPE/POPC/CHOL) bilayers was measured as a function of POPE-to-phospholipid mole ratio (XPE) and cholesterol-to-lipid mole ratio ( XCHOL )a t 37°C. At XPE ) 0, the COD activity changed abruptly at XCHOL 0.40, whereas major activity peaks were detected at XPE 0.18, 0.32, 0.50, 0.64, and 0.73 when XCHOL was fixed to 0.33 or 0.40. At a fixed XCHOL of 0.50, the COD activity increased progressively with PE content and exhibited small peaks or kinks at XPE 0.40, 0.50, 0.58, 0.69, and 0.81. When XPE and XCHOL were systematically varied within a narrow 2-D lipid composition window, an onset of COD activity at XCHOL 0.40 and the elimination of the activity peak at XPE 0.64 for XCHOL >0.40 were clearly observed. Except for XPE 0.40 and 0.58, the observed critical PE mole ratios agree closely ((0.03) with those predicted by a headgroup superlattice model (Virtanen, J.A., et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 4964-4969; Cannon, B., et al. (2006) J. Phys. Chem. B 110, 6339-6350), which proposes that lipids with headgroups of different sizes tend to adopt regular, superlattice-like distributions at discrete and predictable compositions in fluid lipid bilayers. Our results indicate that headgroup superlattice domains exist in lipid bilayers and that they may play a crucial role in modulating the activity of enzymes acting on the cell membrane surface. The lateral organization of phospholipid and cholesterol in cellular membranes and its effect on protein structure and function are thought to play a significant role in the pathogenesis and designing of therapeutic interventions for various diseases such as Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis, and bacterial or viral infections ( 1, 2). For example, a membrane- surface-acting ‚-amyloid protein, a primary factor in Alzhe- imer's disease, has been shown to interact with membrane cholesterol (3-5). Cholesterol enriched lipid domains in the plasma membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC 1 )
13C-Formylation for Improved Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Profiling of Amino Metabolites in Biofluids

An increased interest in metabolite profiling is driving the need for improved analytical techniques with greater performance for a variety of important applications. Despite their limited sensitivity, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods are attractive because of their simplicity, reproducibility, quantitative nature, and wide applicability. The use of chemoselective isotopic tags has the potential to advance the application of NMR for analyzing metabolites in complex biofluids by allowing detection of metabolites down to the low micromoalr level with high resolution and specificity. Here, we report a new 13C-tagging method using 13C-formic acid that delivers high sensitivity, good quantitation, and excellent resolution for 1H−13C 2D NMR profiling of amino metabolites. High reproducibility (coefficient of variation (CV) = 2%) was observed for metabolites in urine with concentrations down to 10 μM. As amino compounds comprise an important class of metabolites and small molecules of biological roles, t...
The Politics of Numbers: Zemstvo Land Assessment and theConceptualization of Russia's Rural Economy

Historians of statistics are only beginning to understand the politics of numbers that accompanied the rise of statistical thinking in the nineteenth century.' In the Russian Empire this statistical awakening opened numerous possibilities for state servitors and the intelligentsia. To officials in St. Petersburg, especially the enlightened bureaucrats who shaped the Great Reforms, statistics held out the promise of providing hard data for the development of informed policies. For educated society, numbers had a profound impact on debates over the nature of Russia's rural (particularly peasant) economy. Numbers provided a cloak of objectivity for polemics motivated by different visions of the empire's present and future.2 In trying to express rural life in numbers, bodies charged with collecting statistical data at various administrative levels had to contend with the fact that
Thermodynamic analysis of an antagonistic folding-unfolding equilibrium between two protein domains.

Abstract A simple model is formulated for analyzing the coupled folding–unfolding equilibrium present in a unique class of molecular switch proteins. We previously fused two single-domain proteins, barnase and ubiquitin, such that the free energy stored in the folded structure of one subunit is used to drive unfolding of the other. Here, we present a thermodynamic test of that mechanism. The antagonistic interaction is represented by a coupling free energy term Δ G X . Δ G X is the penalty imposed on folding of one domain by the native structure of the other. If ΔG X = 0, then neither domain senses the other and they fold and unfold independently. If Δ G X > 0, then destabilizing one domain will stabilize the other, and vice versa . In the limit where Δ G X is greater than the intrinsic stability of either protein, then only one domain can be folded at any given time. We estimate Δ G X by measuring stability parameters for a series of mutants that destabilize either the barnase or ubiquitin domains. Fitting the data to the model leads to a Δ G X value of ∼ 4 kcal mol −1 . Δ G X is proposed to depend on both the length of the linker peptides used to join the two proteins, and on the inherent structural plasticity of each domain. We predict that shortening the linkers from their current lengths of two and three amino acid residues will increase structural and thermodynamic coupling.
Gender and Gangs A Quantitative Comparison

Research and theory about female gang involvement remain scarce. Drawing on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study addresses whether males and females differ in risk factors associated with gang membership (e.g., community characteristics, parent-child relationships, associations with deviant friends). Integrating theory and research from social disorganization, social control, and feminist perspectives on crime/ delinquency, few differences are found between boys and girls in terms of risk factors associated with gang membership and outcomes associated with gang involvement. Instead, the results indicate that parental social control, attachment, and involvement; school safety; peer fighting; age; and race similarly influence boys' and girls' gang involvement.
Venous cavernoma at 8 Tesla MRI

Cavernous angiomas or cavernomas are vascular malformations, which may be associated with risk of bleeding episodes. We present a case report comparing high resolution 8 Tesla gradient echo (GE) imaging with routine fast spin echo (FSE) at 1.5 Tesla in a patient with venous cavernoma. A 55-year-old male with a history of hemorrhagic stroke was studied using high-resolution 8 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, which revealed venous cavernoma (9 x 8.6 mm) in the left parietal region and visualized adjacent microvascular supply. Signal loss was prominent in the cavernoma region compared to surrounding brain tissue, and signal intensity declined by factor 7.3 +/- 2.4 (679 +/- 62%) on GE images at 8 Tesla. Cavernoma was not apparent on routine T(2)-weighted FSE images at 1.5 Tesla MRI. This case report indicates that GE images at 8 Tesla can be useful for evaluation of vascular pathologies and microvasculature.
Theory of exchange coupling in magnetic multilayers

Two layers of magnetic materials separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer display an exchange coupling between the separated magnetic layers, as detailed by the papers on experimental aspects of magnetic multilayers in this issue. Here we describe from a personal perspective the current theoretical understanding of exchange coupling in magnetic multilayers. The understanding by this point is quite good, and involves contributions from a number of authors, of which we review a key subset. The organization of the paper is as follows. After an introduction to RKKY coupling, the next section discusses the effects of a realistic band structure (with emphasis on the work of Herman et al., Bruno and Chappert, and Stiles). The following section, which introduces quantum wells, covers the work of Mathon et al., Bruno et al., and this author. Finally, we include a discussion of the predictability of amplitude, period, and phase, including the effects of disorder.
A convenient quantitative synthesis of methylglyoxal for glyoxalase I assays.

Abstract A simple, convenient, and quantitative method for the preparation of methylglyoxal (pyruvaldehyde) solutions is described. The method involved acid hydrolysis (5% H2SO4) of pyruvaldehyde dimethyl acetal at 100°C for 25 min. The hydrolysis method is quite reproducible and does not require standardization of the methylglyoxal solutions. The preparations of methylglyoxal by the procedure described have been used in the study of glyoxalase I activity.
Computational Investigation of the Fate of Aluminum Nitride Particles During Chemical Vapor Deposition

Aluminum nitride (AlN) is a wide bandgap semiconductor material of wide interest. Aluminum nitride films are typically grown using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. In this process, group-III and group-V precursors, namely tri-methyl-aluminum and ammonia, are injected into a reactor. Subsequently, these reactants react both in the gas-phase as well as at the surface to deposit an epitaxial layer of AlN on a hot substrate (wafer). It has been experimentally observed that AlN nanoparticles are formed in the gas-phase during this process. Although these particles are formed in the vicinity of the hot substrate, they tend to stay away from the hot substrate and are observed to deposit on the cold walls of the reactor. This is undesirable since the particles do not contribute to the growth of the AlN film, and end up damaging the walls of the reactor. In this computational study, the trajectories of the AlN particles are simulated with the goal to understand the mechanisms responsible for their motion. A three-dimensional (3D) Lagrangian Brownian dynamics simulator based on the Langevin equation is first developed. It is then coupled with a 3D computational fluid dynamics solver to simulate the background flow, and the chemical reactions responsible for AlN particle formation. The combined model is first validated, and then exercised for the problem at hand. It is found that thermophoretic forces are primarily responsible for driving the particles away from the hot substrate and depositing them on the cold reactor walls.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Applied Ethics and Free Will: Some Untoward Results of Independence

Is free will a necessity or a luxury for an understanding of applied ethics? This paper offers an argument for why it is the former. First some reasons are offered why applied ethics, under the influence of Rawls's metaethics, has eschewed the topic of free will. It is shown why this is a mistake — namely, how applied ethics will falter without such a theory. The paper then argues for a conception of free will and indicates what ethical and public policy implications may flow from this theory.
The Victim as Witness: Strategies for Increasing Credibility Among Rape Victim-Witnesses in Court

Victim-witnesses are largely overlooked in research of witness credibility and preparation. This paper addresses this issue in regard to female victims of sexual assault, as they are at particular risk for negative juror perceptions and attributions of blame. Witness preparation practices and characteristics of effective testimony are briefly reviewed. Strategies to increase rape victim–witness competency, credibility, and well-being while testifying are described. Specific attention is given to the importance of attorney-victim collaboration, witness education, and the role of emotion management. Directions for future research are discussed.
A two-year program of aerobics and weight training enhances bone mineral density of young women

Previous research suggests that physical activity may have a beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD) in women. This relationship was explored in a 2-year, randomized, intervention trial investigating the efficacy of exercise and calcium supplementation on increasing peak bone mass in young women. One hundred and twenty-seven subjects (ages of 20-35 years) were randomly assigned either to an exercise program that contained both aerobics and weight training components or to a stretching program. Calcium supplementation (up to 1500 mg/day including dietary intake) or placebo was given in a double-blinded design to all subjects. Spinal trabecular BMD was determined using quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Spinal integral, femoral neck, and trochanteric BMD were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and calcaneal BMD by single photon absorptiometry (SPA). Fitness variables included maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), and isokinetic muscle performance of the trunk and thigh. Measurements were made at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. Sixty-three subjects (32 exercise, 31 stretching) completed the study, and all the measured bone parameters indicated a positive influence of the exercise intervention. There were significant positive differences in BMD between the exercise and stretching groups for spinal trabecular (2.5%), femoral neck (2.4%), femoral trochanteric (2.3%), and calcaneal (6.4%) measurements. The exercise group demonstrated a significant gain in BMD for spinal integral (1.3 +/- 2.8%, p < 0.02), femoral trochanteric (2.6 +/- 6.1%, p < 0.05), and calcaneal (5.6 +/- 5.1, p < 0.01) measurements. In contrast to exercise, the calcium intervention had no positive effect on any of the bone parameters. In regard to fitness parameters, the exercise group completed the study with significant gains in VO2max and isokinetic (peak torque) values for the knee flexion and extension and trunk extension. This study indicates that over a 2-year period, a combined regimen of aerobics and weight training has beneficial effects on BMD and fitness parameters in young women. However, the addition of daily calcium supplementation does not add significant benefit to the intervention.
Mindfulness‐Based Relationship Education for Couples Expecting their First Child—Part 2: Phenomenological Findings

This phenomenological study is the second phase of a larger mixed methods study of a relationship-enhancement program for couples expecting their first child (see Gambrel & Piercy, this issue). The 4-week Mindful Transition to Parenthood Program uses mindfulness practices and interpersonal activities to develop skills of internal and interpersonal attunement. Based on semi-structured interviews with thirteen couples, four overarching themes emerged: (a) positive changes for self, (b) improvements in couple relationship, (c) more prepared for baby, and (d) male involvement. Participants stated that the program increased their acceptance and awareness, deepened connections with their partners, and led them to be more confident about becoming parents. Male participants felt they became more identified as fathers. The authors discuss the clinical implications of these findings.
Seminoma in children.

Abstract A case of seminoma in a nine-year-old boy is presented with a review of the literature. The clinical picture, management, and prognosis are discussed.
Inclusion compounds of n-hexane with naphthalene derivatives

Phase diagrams at temperatures above 0°C are presented for the three systems n -hexane + 2-methylnaphthalene, n -hexane + 2-chloronaphthalene, and n -hexane + 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene. The existence in each of these systems of inclusion compounds of definite stoichiometry is established by thermal analysis and vapor pressure measurements. Compositions and thermal stability ranges of the various complexes were deduced from results obtained by these techniques. Equilibrium constants for decomposition of the complexes and their enthalpies of solution and fusion were also calculated from the results.