cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aberrant Cdk5 activation by p25 triggers pathological events leading to neurodegeneration and neurofibrillary tangles

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and its regulatory subunit p35 are integral players in the proper development of the mammalian central nervous system. Proteolytic cleavage of p35 generates p25, leading to aberrant Cdk5 activation. The accumulation of p25 is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. In primary neurons, p25 causes apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation. Current mouse models expressing p25, however, fail to rigorously recapitulate these phenotypes in vivo. Here, we generated inducible transgenic mouse lines overexpressing p25 in the postnatal forebrain. Induction of p25 preferentially directed Cdk5 to pathological substrates. These animals exhibited neuronal loss in the cortex and hippocampus, accompanied by forebrain atrophy, astrogliosis, and caspase-3 activation. Endogenous tau was hyperphosphorylated at many epitopes, aggregated tau accumulated, and neurofibrillary pathology developed progressively in these animals. Our cumulative findings provide compelling evidence that in vivo deregulation of Cdk5 by p25 plays a causative role in neurodegeneration and the development of neurofibrillary pathology.
Solubilization of a membrane factor that stimulates levels of substance P and choline acetyltransferase in sympathetic neurons.

Abstract The choice of which neurotransmitters will be produced by a developing neuron is influenced by the microenvironment of the neuron. In this study we show that neuronal contact with membrane-associated molecules promotes expression of peptidergic and cholinergic traits. Treatment of cultured neonatal rat sympathetic neurons with plasma membranes derived from adult rat spinal cord or sympathetic ganglia induced expression of the peptide transmitter substance P and increased levels of the cholinergic biosynthetic enzyme choline acetyltransferase. The transmitter-stimulating activity could be solubilized from spinal cord membranes by the detergent octyl glucoside but not by Triton X-100. The choline acetyltransferase- and substance P-stimulating activity also could be extracted from spinal cord membranes by 4 M sodium chloride, suggesting that the active material is membrane associated rather than an intrinsic structural membrane molecule. Trypsin or heat treatment of the extract destroyed the transmitter-stimulating activity, indicating that the factor contains a protein. Activity also was destroyed by hyaluronidase treatment, suggesting that the active material may contain a glycosaminoglycan. The choline acetyltransferase-stimulating activity in the 4 M NaCl extract was eluted in a single peak from a calibrated Sephadex G-75 column with a retention time slightly less than that of a 25-kDa standard. NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the active peak revealed a predominant band at 29 kDa. Thus, contact-mediated stimulation of substance P and choline acetyltransferase activity in sympathetic neurons results from neuronal exposure to a 29-kDa membrane-associated factor.
Moral Duty and the Welfare State

AID to Families with Dependent Children, Food Stamps, and Medicaid are among the programs in the American welfare system that are intended primarily to help the poor. These programs have been most adversely affected by President Reagan's efforts to control social spending. They have been so vulnerable, in part, because the poor who benefit from them do not form a large enough voting bloc to protect their interests. Such programs ultimately must rely on the support of the more affluent who are not, and probably will never be, welfare recipients. And this support faded in the late 1970s when middleand upper-income voters became frightened by inflation and economic uncertainty. If one wants to protect welfare from further erosion, such voters must be convinced to act contrary to their short-term, material self-interest by supporting welfare programs for which they must pay but from which they receive no direct benefits. How is this to be done? There seem to be three available strategies. The first plays on bourgeois fears, pointing out that without welfare the poor would be disruptive, committing crimes against property and persons and engaging in violent protests. Welfare, according to this view, mollifies the poor, silencing their opposition to a social order dominated by the bourgeoisie. This is called the "social control" strategy (Piven and Cloward 1971; O'Connor 1973: 162-68). The second strategy appeals to bourgeois compassion, seeking to promote among the more prosperous a concern for the well-being of poor strangers. It then attempts to demonstrate to those who do care that public assistance is the most efficient way for them to transfer their funds to the poor. This is the "state charity" strategy.2 The third strategy reminds the more affluent that they have a moral duty to help the poor. To ignore the needy, this strategy says, is morally wrong. The fairest and most practical way to carry out this duty is to allow the state, acting on behalf of the non-poor, to assume the duty to aid those in need. This is the "moral duty" strategy (Tinder 1979). This strategy differs from the state charity strategy inasmuch as it assumes that state aid to the poor is morally required, and failure to provide such aid is morally wrong. It considers state welfare as analogous to the duty of parents to care for their small children. For the state charity strategy, on the other hand,
One-trial-a-day avoidance learning

A one-trial-a-day discrete-trial avoidance conditioning procedure run for 30 consecutive days was compared with a massed-trial procedure where Ss received 30 consecutive trials within 1 day. The Ss in both groups were equated for time each S spent in the nonshock compartment of the apparatus, number of times the transport box carrying Ss was lifted out of the nonshock compartment, and the number of times each S was handled. The main difference between groups was the intersession trial length of 24 h for the one-trial-a-day Ss. Learning was rapid for both groups. The groups did not differ reliably on six acquisition indices. The methodological advantages of the one-trial-a-day procedure and its theoretical importance were discussed.
Abstract 2392: A novel approach for detecting viable and tissue-specific circulating tumor cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer a new strategy to access cancer tissue through a simple blood sample. CTCs levels can be predictive of overall survival in patients with metastatic cancers and changes in CTC levels following therapy can be indicative of therapeutic response. Moreover, CTCs may provide a means to select patients for specific therapeutic approaches by identifying active or susceptible pathways. However, most of the current methods for detecting CTCs have limitations including the need for specialized equipment, the reliance on cell capture through cell surface markers such as EpCAM, limited sensitivity, the inability to distinguish cancer from normal, tissue type, active pathways, or cell viability. Here we present a novel CTC detection approach which applies tissue-selective replicating adenoviruses and highly sensitive secreted reporters. These Circulating Tumor Cell Reporter Viruses (CTC-RVs) were generated by replacing the early viral E1A gene promoter with the prostate specific probasin promoter and prostate specific antigen enhancer (PSE-PBN). The secreted reporter gene, humanized metridia luciferase (hMLuc), was incorporated into the viral major late transcriptional unit, at the fiber gene locus, to limit reporter expression to only those cells in which the virus has replicated. Cells from total blood, including mononuclear cells and CTCs, are placed in tissue culture media and infected with the CTC-RV. After three days, viral replication dramatically amplifies reporter levels within infected prostate cancer cells with active Androgen Receptor pathways leading to the secretion of the bioluminescent reporter. Non-prostatic cells will not amplify the virus or express the reporter gene. LNCaP cellular dilution study results show that as few as five CTCs per million lymphocytes cells could be readily detected without any cell isolation. LNCaP cells diluted in healthy volunteer blood samples identified the optimal time and dosing conditions. Initial studies in clinical samples support the detection of viable CTCs with this assay. This new approach offers a means to quantify live CTC levels in a tissue-specific manner, without the need for cell capture, through the use of a secreted signal which can be detected separate from the large blood cell population. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2392. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2392
Hierarchies, Regions and Legacies: European Cities and Global Commercial Passenger Air Travel

Air travel has established itself as an integral part of the globalization process and Europe provides a compelling case study on the scope and shape of air travel vis-a-vis globalization. The major goals of this article are twofold: (1) to describe, analyze, and map the distinctive time, cost, and distance features of the air transportation for European cities and (2) to examine how individual European cities are positioned both within a European and a global context. Utilizing unique datasets on world travel, we show that despite its global nature, air travel to and within Europe remains remarkably variegated with both cores and peripheral cities located in relatively close proximity. The longest times and highest costs are associated with European cities in the south and east (particularly former communist countries) while cities in central and northern Europe that are among the cheapest and easiest to reach time-wise. The cost and time of air travel, however, do not adequately illuminate the specific ...
Determination of performance characteristics of scientific applications on IBM Blue Gene/Q

The IBM Blue Gene®/Q platform presents scientists and engineers with a rich set of hardware features such as 16 cores per chip sharing a Level 2 cache, a wide SIMD (single-instruction, multiple-data) unit, a five-dimensional torus network, and hardware support for collective operations. An especially important feature is that the cores have four "hardware threads," which makes it possible to hide latencies and obtain a high fraction of the peak issue rate from each core. All of these hardware resources present unique performance-tuning opportunities on Blue Gene/Q. We provide an overview of several important applications and solvers and study them on Blue Gene/Q using performance counters and Message Passing Interface profiles. We discuss how Blue Gene/Q tools help us understand the interaction of the application with the hardware and software layers and provide guidance for optimization. On the basis of our analysis, we discuss code improvement strategies targeting Blue Gene/Q. Information about how these algorithms map to the Blue Gene® architecture is expected to have an impact on future system design as we move to the exascale era.
Psychiatric symptoms caused by medical illness in the chronically mentally ill elderly.

Psychiatric symptoms in the mentally ill elderly are often the result of medical or drug-induced conditions. These conditions and means for their detection are presented in this chapter.
Ion scattering study of reconstruction in the Au(110)-(1×2) surface

Abstract Structural models for the clean Au(110)-(1 × 2) surface have been evaluated by comparison of calculations to experimental He + backscattering surface yield measurements. Angular scans of the surface yield around the [101] and [100] off-normal axes are asymmetric. These results are in reasonable agreement with missing row surface models incorporating lateral translations in the second row and either an expansion or contraction of the top layer. Energy scans of the on-axis surface yield are consistent with these results. Lack of agreement between the experimental and calculated widths of the angular scans indicate that the structure models do not completely describe the surface.
WHITHER 'WHAT IF' HISTORY?

Richard Evans's new book, Altered Pasts, offers a perceptive but flawed critique of the field of counterfactual history. The author provides a useful historical survey of the field's recent rise to prominence and intelligently analyzes its respective strengths and weaknesses. His overall assessment of the field is quite skeptical, however. Evans cites many reasons for his skepticism, but his overall critique can be summarized in three words: plausibility, politicization, and popularity. Evans faults works of counterfactual history for their frequently implausible narratives, their promotion of political agendas, and their distressing degree of popularity. In advancing his critique, Evans makes many valid observations that call attention to important deficiencies in the field. But his view is a partial one that neglects countervailing evidence and never penetrates to the heart of why the field has left the margins for the mainstream. Evans's study provides a useful introduction to an understudied topic, but further research—ideally of a less partisan nature—is required for us to better understand counterfactual history's increasing appeal.
Curriculum recommendations for graduate professional programs in information systems: recommended addendum on information systems administration

An addendum to the Report of the ACM Curriculum Committee on Computer Education for Management is proposed. The proposed addendum is to include in the curriculum a course on Information Systems Administration. It is important for two reasons: (1) the systems designer must understand the administrative framework in which he must operate to work effectively, and (2) an important objective of the curriculum recommendations is to prepare the future manager of the computer activity. It is felt that the importance of these two reasons justifies the addition of the recommended course. The course is outlined in the format of the original report.
Design and Laboratory Evaluation of a Breath Sampling Respirator for Organic Solvent Biological Monitoring

Abstract A modified half-face air purifying respirator was developed as a technique for large-scale monitoring that will be acceptable to workers, simple to apply, and relatively sensitive. Exhaled air was directed through the respirator exhaust port and then through a two-part cartridge. The first part contained four layers of activated charcoal cloth which adsorbed organic solvent vapors; the cloth was subsequently desorbed for standard gas chromatographic analysis. The second part contained 70 g of 8–12 mesh molecular sieve whose weight gain was proportional to the volume of air exhaled. The proportionality was determined by independent measurement of volume in subjects while at rest and while exercising. Controlled atmospheres containing toluene at relative humidities near saturation were passed through the cartridge at steady flows equal to resting human ventilatory rates. Toluene recovery was 70 percent for simulated breath concentrations of 0.75 mg/m3 to 60 mg/m3. Nine adult males volunteered to br...
Polymerization and Functionalization of Membrane Pores for Water Related Applications.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was modified by chemical treatments in order to create active double bonds to obtain covalent grafting of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on membrane. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrum confirms the formation of conjugated C═C double bonds with surface dehydrofluorination. The membrane morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface composition was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thermal stability of the dehydrofluorinated membrane (Def-PVDF) and functionalized membranes were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The influence of covalently attached PAA on Def-PVDF membrane has been investigated to determine its effect on the transport of water and charged solute. Variations in the solution pH show an effect on both permeability and solute retention in a reversible fashion. Metal nanoparticles were also immobilized in the membrane for the degradation of ...
Discriminative stimulus effects of presynaptic GABA agonists in pentobarbital-trained rats.

Abstract The discriminative stimulus effects of indirect-acting GABAergic drugs were compared to those of pentobarbital (PB) and midazolam in rats trained to discriminate 5 mg/kg PB from saline under a two-lever fixed-ratio 32 schedule of food reinforcement. PB and midazolam produced dose-dependent substitution for the training dose of PB with response rate reduction only at doses above those producing full substitution. Valproic acid, an antiepileptic drug and GABA transaminase inhibitor, substituted for PB but not only at a dose that produced response rate suppression. Vigabatrin, an irreversible GABA transaminase inhibitor, failed to substitute for PB, but did produce a dose-dependent decrease in response rates. The GABA uptake inhibitors, 1-[2-[bis[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- methoxy]ethyl]-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (CI-966) and (R(−)-N-[4,4-bis(3-methylthien-2-yl) but-3-enyl] nipecotic acid HCl (tiagabine), produced no greater than 40% PB-lever responding. Aminoxyacetic acid (AOAA), which is described as a nonselective presynaptic GABA agonist, yielded a maximum of 43% PB-lever responding. These results indicate that the discriminative stimulus effects of the indirect GABAA agonists, PB and midazolam, although similar to one another, differ from those of presynaptic GABAergic drugs. Differences in the discriminative stimulus properties of GABA transaminase inhibitors and uptake inhibitors also exist, indicating that not all presynaptic GABA agonists have similar behavioral profiles. These results contribute to a further understanding of the similarities and differences in the behavioral effects of drugs that enhance GABAergic neurotransmission.
Wireless Sensor Networks -- A Comparative Study for Energy Minimization Using Topology Control

Wireless sensors are generally battery-powered stand-alone devices with limited processing power and communication capabilities. Wireless sensors have limited sources of energy to power their functions. Green technologies are those designed to be more efficient in energy consumption and conservation and/or to utilize greener energy sources than used previously. Sensor network energy utilization and more efficient energy conservation are major areas of concern to ensure proper long term operation of a wireless sensor. Topology Control has been studied to minimize energy consumption for a wireless sensor network (WSN). A comparative study has been conducted for various WSN Topology Construction and Topology Maintenance protocols using Atarraya - a Topology Control simulator, taking into consideration the number of connected, unconnected, dead nodes as well as the energy consumed by the sensor nodes during the implementation of various protocols. Based on the simulation data, the most suitable protocol for energy minimization has been determined.
Design of the Radiation Pattern of Infrared Short-Range Communication Systems for Electronic-Toll-Collection Applications

This paper proposes a very simple method for enhancing the performance of infrared electronic-toll-collection systems. Using two typical low-cost commercial LEDs with different half-intensity angles Phi1/2 = 22deg and 10deg, the radiation pattern of the emitting module of an infrared short-range communication system for electronic-toll-collection applications is designed. This enables us to construct a system that has an extended communication region and can withstand high signal attenuation. When the module is fabricated with a proper combination of the numbers of these two different LEDs, together with a suitable mounting angle of each LED, an effective radiation pattern is obtained. The mounting angle of each LED is found with the aid of an optimization algorithm. The performances of three different designs are compared in terms of signal strength, communication length, and 2-D communication region. The results show that a module consisting of ten LEDs divided into three groups, with each group having a proper mounting angle and containing an appropriate number of LEDs, can have much better performance than conventional single-group unidirectional designs. The influence of the defect of the radiation pattern, which may happen on many LEDs, on system performance is also discussed. The results of the analysis are confirmed by experimental measurements.
Nuclear localization and dominant-negative suppression by a mutant SKCa3 N-terminal channel fragment identified in a patient with schizophrenia.

The small conductance calcium-activated K+ channel geneSKCa3/KCNN3 maps to 1q21, a region strongly linked to schizophrenia. Recently, a 4-base pair deletion inSKCa3 was reported in a patient with schizophrenia, which truncates the protein at the end of the N-terminal cytoplasmic region (SKCa3Δ). We generated a green fluorescent protein-SKCa3 N-terminal construct (SKCa3–1/285) that is identical to SKCa3Δ except for the last two residues. Using confocal microscopy we demonstrate that SKCa3–1/285 localizes rapidly and exclusively to the nucleus of mammalian cells like several other pathogenic polyglutamine-containing proteins. This nuclear targeting is mediated in part by two polybasic sequences present at the C-terminal end of SKCa3–1/285. In contrast, full-length SKCa3, SKCa2, and IKCa1 polypeptides are all excluded from the nucleus and express as functional channels. When overexpressed in human Jurkat T cells, SKCa3–1/285 can suppress endogenous SKCa2 currents but not voltage-gated K+ currents. This dominant-negative suppression is most likely mediated through the co-assembly of SKCa3–1/285 with native subunits and the formation of non-functional tetramers. The nuclear localization of SKCa3–1/285 may alter neuronal architecture, and its ability to dominantly suppress endogenous small conductance KCa currents may affect patterns of neuronal firing. Together, these two effects may play a part in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Urban Water Demand Modeling: Review of Concepts, Methods, and Organizing Principles

[1] In this paper, we use a theoretical framework of coupled human and natural systems to review the methodological advances in urban water demand modeling over the past 3 decades. The goal of this review is to quantify the capacity of increasingly complex modeling techniques to account for complex human and natural processes, uncertainty, and resilience across spatial and temporal scales. This review begins with coupled human and natural systems theory and situates urban water demand within this framework. The second section reviews urban water demand literature and summarizes methodological advances in relation to four central themes: (1) interactions within and across multiple spatial and temporal scales, (2) acknowledgment and quantification of uncertainty, (3) identification of thresholds, nonlinear system response, and the consequences for resilience, and (4) the transition from simple statistical modeling to fully integrated dynamic modeling. This review will show that increasingly effective models have resulted from technological advances in spatial science and innovations in statistical methods. These models provide unbiased, accurate estimates of the determinants of urban water demand at increasingly fine spatial and temporal resolution. Dynamic models capable of incorporating alternative future scenarios and local stochastic analysis are leading a trend away from deterministic prediction.
5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside renders glucose output by the liver of the dog insensitive to a pharmacological increment in insulin

This study aimed to test whether stimulation of net hepatic glucose output (NHGO) by increased concentrations of the AMP analog, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribosyl-5-monophosphate, can be...
Controlling Particle Swarm Optimization with Learned Parameters

Controlling particle swarm optimization is typically an unintuitive task, involving a process of adjusting low-level parameters of the system that often do not have obvious correlations with the emergent properties of the optimization process. We propose a method for controlling particle swarm optimization with \textit{non-explicit control parameters}: parameters that describe self-organizing systems at an abstract level. Effectively, this process converts intuitive control parameter values into explicit configurations that particle swarm optimization can directly apply. In this paper, we introduce the motivation, methodology, and implementation of our approach.
The Mitochondrial Barriers Segregate Agonist-induced Calcium-dependent Functions in Human Airway Epithelia

In airway epithelia, purinergic receptor (P2Y2-R) stimulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+i)–regulated ion transport is restricted to the membrane domain ipsilateral to receptor activation, implying compartmentalization of Ca2+i signaling. Because mitochondria can spatially restrict cellular Ca2+i signals, immunocytochemical, electron microscopic, and fluorescent studies of mitochondria localization were performed in human airway epithelia. Although concentrated at the apical domain, mitochondria were found distributed at both the apical and the basolateral poles and in close association with the endoplasmic reticulum. The role of mitochondria in locally restricting P2Y2-R–induced Ca2+i signals was investigated by measuring changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ (Ca2+m) in human airway epithelial monolayers. P2Y2-R activation induced Ca2+m accumulation in mitochondria confined to the domain ipsilateral to P2Y2-R stimulation, which was blocked by mitochondrial uncoupling with 1 μM CCCP and 2.5 μg/ml oligomycin. The role of mitochondria in restricting the cellular cross-talk between basolateral P2Y2-R–dependent Ca2+i mobilization and apical membrane Ca2+-activated Cl− secretion was investigated in studies simultaneously measuring Ca2+i and Cl− secretion in cystic fibrosis human airway epithelial monolayers. Activation of basolateral P2Y2-Rs produced similar increases in Ca2+i in monolayers without and with pretreatment with uncouplers, whereas Ca2+i-activated Cl− secretion was only efficiently triggered in mitochondria-uncoupled conditions. We conclude that (a) mitochondria function as a Ca2+i-buffering system in airway epithelia, compartmentalizing Ca2+i-dependent functions to the membrane ipsilateral to receptor stimulation; and (b) the mitochondria provide structural barriers that protect the airway epithelia against nonspecific activation of Ca2+i-modulated functions associated with Ca2+i signals emanating from the apical or the basolateral membrane domains.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors decrease intra-abdominal adhesions with one intraoperative dose by reducing peritoneal fibrin deposition pathways.

Background We previously demonstrated that postoperative peritoneal injury and inflammation contribute to adhesiogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that in addition to their role of interfering with the acetylation status of nuclear histone proteins, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) including valproic acid (VPA) can target nonhistone proteins to resolve inflammation and modulate immune cells. We hypothesized that HDACIs could reduce adhesions. Methods Seventy-two rats underwent laparotomy with creation of 6 peritoneal ischemic buttons to induce adhesions. A single intraperitoneal (IP) dose of 50 mg/kg VPA was administered intraoperatively, whereas controls received vehicle. To evaluate the timing, 25 rats underwent ischemic button creation with either an intraoperative or a delayed IP dose of VPA at 1, 3, or 6 hours postoperatively. On postoperative day 7, adhesions were quantified. To investigate mechanisms, ischemic buttons were created in 24 rats and either VPA or saline was administered in 1 intraoperative dose. At 3 or 24 hours later, peritoneal fluid was collected and fibrinolytic activity measured. Alternatively, button tissue was collected 30 minutes postoperatively to measure tissue factor, fibrinogen, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by real-time polymerase chain reaction or Western blot. Results A single intraoperative dose of VPA reduced adhesions by 50% relative to controls (P Conclusion These findings suggest that VPA rapidly reduces the extravasation of key adhesiogenic substrates into the peritoneum. A single, intraoperative intervention provides an ideal dosing strategy and indicates an exciting new role for HDACIs in adhesion prevention.
Sediment Transport and Wind Flow Around Hummocks

Abstract This study presents field-based observations demonstrating the relationships between vegetation density, shear stress, and sediment transport surrounding hummocks. Data collection for 120 min measured wind velocities using a sonic anemometer, grain impacts from four miniphones (MICs) deployed on and to the side (in unobstructed flow) of a hummock, trap-derived sand transport, and hummock vegetation densities between 3–26%. These data provide the parameters to estimate model-based transport rates from Bagnold, Zingg, Kawamura, and Lettau and Lettau, and to use the Bagnold slope correction equation. The average trap- and co-located MIC-based transport rates were 25.0 and 89.8 g/m 2 /s with an R 2 of 0.39 ( p p p R 2 value ( p > 0.05). A positive relationship between vegetation coverage and transport rate was observed. The strongest correlation between vegetation coverage and transport rate was found when considering the two MICs placed on the hummock within the vegetation. The MIC placed adjacent to the hummock had a low R 2 that was statistically insignificant ( p > 0.05). These findings suggest that flow steering around the hummock side and grain projection around and over the hummock plays an important role in hummock morphology and processes.
Amino Acid Transport in a Polyaromatic Amino Acid Auxotroph of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The initiation of growth of a polyaromatic auxotrophic mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was inhibited by several amino acids, whereas growth of the parent prototroph was unaffected. A comparative investigation of amino acid transport in the two strains employing 14C-labeled amino acids revealed that the transport of amino acids in S. cerevisiae was mediated by a general transport system responsible for the uptake of all neutral as well as basic amino acids. Both auxotrophic and prototrophic strains exhibited stereospecificity for l-amino acids and a Km ranging from 1.5 × 10−5 to 5.0 × 10−5 M. Optimal transport activity occurred at pH 5.7. Cycloheximide had no effect on amino acid uptake, indicating that protein synthesis was not a direct requirement for amino acid transport. Regulation of amino acid transport was subject to the concentration of amino acids in the free amino acid pool. Amino acid inhibition of the uptake of the aromatic amino acids by the aromatic auxotroph did not correlate directly with the effect of amino acids on the initiation of growth of the auxotroph but provides a partial explanation of this effect.
Detection of closed influenza virus hemagglutinin fusion peptide structures in membranes by backbone (13)CO- (15)N rotational-echo double-resonance solid-state NMR.

The influenza virus fusion peptide is the N-terminal ~20 residues of the HA2 subunit of the hemagglutinin protein and this peptide plays a key role in the fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes during initial infection of a cell. The fusion peptide adopts N-helix/turn/C-helix structure in both detergent and membranes with reports of both open and closed interhelical topologies. In the present study, backbone 13CO-15N REDOR solid-state NMR was applied to the membrane-associated fusion peptide to detect the distribution of interhelical distances. The data clearly showed a large fraction of closed and semi-closed topologies and were best-fitted to a mixture of two structures that do not exchange. One of the earlier open structural models may have incorrect G13 dihedral angles derived from TALOS analysis of experimentally correct 13C shifts.
Preferred orientation and elastic anisotropy in shales

Anisotropy in shales is becoming an important issue in exploration and reservoir geophysics. In this study, the crystallographic preferred orientation of clay platelets that contributes to elastic anisotropy was determined quantitatively by hard monochromatic X-ray synchrotron diffraction in two different shales from drillholes off the coast of Nigeria. To analyze complicated diffraction images with five different phases (illite/smectite, kaolinite, quartz, siderite, feldspar) and many overlapping peaks, we applied a methodology based on the crystallographic Rietveld method. The goal was to describe the intrinsic physical properties of the sample (phase composition, crystallographic preferred orientation, crystal structure, and microstructure) and compute macroscopic elastic properties by averaging single crystal properties over the orientation distribution for each phase. Our results show that elastic anisotropy resulting from crystallographic preferred orientation of the clay particles can be determined quantitatively. This provides a possible way to compare measured seismic anisotropy and texture-derived anisotropy and to estimate the contribution of the low-aspect ratio pores aligned with bedding.
Biochemical systems analysis of genome-wide expression data.

Motivation: Modern methods of genomics have produced an unprecedented amount of raw data. The interpretation and explanation of these data constitute a major, wellrecognized challenge. Results: Biochemical Systems Theory (BST) is the mathematical basis of a well-established methodological framework for analyzing networks of biochemical reactions. An existing BST model of yeast glycolysis is used here to explain and interpret the glycolytic gene expression pattern of heat shocked yeast. Our analysis demonstrates that the observed gene expression profile satisfies the primary goals of increased ATP, trehalose, and NADPH production, while maintaining intermediate metabolites at reasonable levels. Based on a systematic exploration of alternative, hypothetical expression profiles, we show that the observed profile outperforms other profiles. Conclusion: BST is a useful framework for combining DNA microarray data with enzymatic process information to yield new insights into metabolic pathway regulation. Availability: All analyses were executed with the software PLAS c � , which is freely available at http:// correio.cc.fc.
SGLT inhibitors attenuate NO-dependent vascular relaxation in the pulmonary artery but not in the coronary artery

Inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT)2 are a new class of oral drugs for type 2 diabetic patients that reduce plasma glucose levels by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption. There is increasing evidence showing the beneficial effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on glucose control; however, less information is available regarding the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes. The present study was designed to determine whether SGLT inhibitors regulate vascular relaxation in mouse pulmonary and coronary arteries. Phlorizin (a nonspecific SGLT inhibitor) and canagliflozin (a SGLT2-specific inhibitor) relaxed pulmonary arteries in a dose-dependent manner, but they had little or no effect on coronary arteries. Pretreatment with phlorizin or canagliflozin significantly inhibited sodium nitroprusside (SNP; a nitric oxide donor)-induced vascular relaxation in pulmonary arteries but not in coronary arteries. Phlorizin had no effect on cGMP-dependent relaxation in pulmonary arteries. SNP induced membrane hyperpolarization in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, and pretreatment of cells with phlorizin and canagliflozin attenuated SNP-induced membrane hyperpolarization by decreasing K(+) activities induced by SNP. Contrary to the result observed in ex vivo experiments with SGLT inhibitors, SNP-dependent relaxation in pulmonary arteries was not altered by chronic administration of canagliflozin. On the other hand, canagliflozin administration significantly enhanced SNP-dependent relaxation in coronary arteries in diabetic mice. These data suggest that SGLT inhibitors differentially regulate vascular relaxation depending on the type of arteries, duration of the treatment, and health condition, such as diabetes.
Induced Seizures as Therapy in Man

Convulsive therapy is a treatment that is widely used for the relief of the severe psychiatric disorders of melancholic depression, mania, catatonia, and psychosis. It was first described in 1934 with chemical induction of seizures. The modification of electrical inductions simplified the procedure so that electroconvulsive therapy is the most widely used form. Seizures are induced under anesthesia and muscle relaxation. The mode of action is best understood as stimulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary neuroendocrine system, requiring repeated treatments over long periods to sustain remission.
Ruminations on the 'Culture' of Law: Recognizing an Inevitable Influence on the Evolution of Dispute Resolution Alternatives

Legal “culture” supports a central tenet: that “truth” matters, that “truth” is discernible and that discovering or adjudicating “truth” -- especially the “truth” of past events, is possible, valuable, and in the end will help resolve and eliminate conflict. But should we be so certain of the efficacy and promise of the “historical fact” model of dispute resolution? Does it accurately reflect the reality of how people experience and reflect upon conflict, especially when it occurs in the tight-knit atmosphere of the contemporary workplace?
Sex differences in central adrenergic control of vasopressin release

Central adrenoreceptor-mediated regulation of vasopressin secretion and cardiovascular function was studied in male rats and female rats in specific estrous cycle phases. In conscious, unrestrained rats with intracerebroventricular (icv) cannulas and femoral artery and vein catheters, plasma arginine vasopressin concentration (PAVP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and heart rate (HR) were determined before and 5 and 15 min after icv injection of 10 micrograms norepinephrine or 50 micrograms phenylephrine. Norepinephrine (icv) increased PAVP in proestrus and metestrus four and three times (P less than 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) more than in males. Norepinephrine induced similar MABP elevations (P less than 0.01) in males and females in all cycle phases; HR decreased only in proestrus, estrus, and metestrus (P less than 0.01). The increase in PAVP after icv phenylephrine was four and three times greater in proestrous and diestrous females (P less than 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) than in males. The proestrous MABP rise was three times that in males (P less than 0.05); HR decreased similarly in diestrus, proestrus, and males. These results suggest gonadal steroid hormones influence adrenoreceptor-mediated control of vasopressin secretion, MABP, and HR.
Clinical and Imaging Analysis of Acute Intussusception in Infant

Objective To discuss the imaging representations and its clinical significance of acute indigitation in infants.Methods The imaging representations including CT,ultrasonography stand abdominal plain film and gas clysters of indigitation comfirmed by operation in 58 infants were analysed.Results (1)Of 58 cases,33 were ileum-colon and ileum-caecal type,25 were ileum-ileum-colon,ilem-cecal-colon and ileum-colon-colon type;(2)The main imaging representations were as following:gas decreased in colon of small intestine (12 cases),inflation in intestine and incomplete ileus (18 cases),ileus of small intestine(17 cases),no abnormity on stand abdominal plain film (8 cases).Gas clyster showed the "goblet sign" and masses (28 cases).The sign of targed rings was seen on ultrasonography(3 cases).The layered homocentric round tumors showed by CT (1 case).Conclusion The imaging representations of acute indigitation in infants are typical,which are significant for the diagnosis.
Breakthrough Packaging Level Shielding Techniques and EMI Effectiveness Modeling and Characterization

Electronic handsets have been rapidly miniaturized in form factor and developed with highly integrated functions, more complexity, and significantly improved performance. Within high density radio frequency (RF) modules, electromagnetic interference (EMI) issues such as unwanted cross-talk among the RF modules in mobile devices, cause electrical performance shifts, and make the modules more susceptible to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) failures. All of these have raised considerable and critical challenges to RF design, which lead to a greater number of design iterations, prolonged design cycle times, and additional costs in a highly competitive market place. EMC has to be addressed during RF module design and package assembly by minimizing EMI radiation, reducing coupling paths, designing proper shielding, and grounding. The principle of EMI shielding is known as Faraday cage. This paper presents an overview of package level EMI shielding, where a metal layer is applied to partially or completely enclose a package in order to reduce the amount of EMI energy escaping into the external environment and also limit the EMI radiation that can penetrate into the package. Various EMI shielding techniques are compared and contrasted in terms of materials, process complexity, manufacturability, cost and EMI shielding effectiveness. Near-field EMI measurement/characterization is used to precisely capture EMI emission from device to system level or vice versa. The electromagnetic modeling methodology is used to pinpoint the root causes of unwanted EMI radiation on the module level.
Maternal diet quality and nutrient intake in the gestational period: results from the delta healthy sprouts comparative impact trial.

A woman’s diet while pregnant can play an important role in her reproductive health as well as the health of her unborn child. Diet quality and nutrient intake amongst pregnant women residing in the rural Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) region of the United States is inadequate. The Delta Healthy Sprouts Project was designed to test the comparative impact of two home visiting programs on weight status, dietary intake, and health behaviors of women and their infants residing in the LMD region. This paper reports results pertaining to maternal diet quality and nutrient intake in the gestational period. The experimental arm (PATE) received monthly home visits beginning in the second trimester using the Parents as Teachers curriculum enhanced with a nutrition and lifestyle behavior curriculum. The control arm (PAT) received monthly home visits using the Parents as Teachers curriculum only. Maternal diet was assessed via 24-h dietary recall at gestational months (GM) 4 (baseline), 6, and 8. Diet quality was computed using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010). Gestational period retention rates for PAT and PATE arms were 77 % (33/43) and 67 % (26/39), respectively. Significant effects were not found for time, treatment, or time by treatment for the HEI-2010 total or component scores, macro- or micronutrient intake or percentage of women meeting recommended nutrient intakes. Perhaps due to low participant enrollment and higher than expected rates of drop out and noncompliance, we were not able to demonstrate that the enhanced nutrition and lifestyle curriculum (PATE) intervention had a significant effect on diet quality or nutrient intake during pregnancy in this cohort of rural, Southern, primarily African American women. clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01746394 . Registered 5 December 2012.
Prevalence of maternal cell contamination in amniotic fluid samples

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of maternal cell contamination (MCC) in the first few milliliters of amniotic fluid withdrawn during amniocentesis.Methods: A prospective observational study was performed. The initial 2–3 ml of amniotic fluid withdrawn during amniocentesis was divided into direct analysis (uncultured) and cultured samples. A matching maternal buccal swab was obtained for MCC testing. MCC was determined by short-tandem repeat analysis. The primary outcome was measurement of clinically significant contamination (MCC >5%). Secondary outcomes included the determination of risk factors associated with MCC >5%. Outcomes were assessed by fisher’s exact, independent t-test, binary logistic regression, and ANOVA.Results: Direct analysis measured clinically significant contamination (MCC > 5%) in 26% of specimens, while any amount of MCC was present in 68% of specimens. Cultured specimens had MCC > 5% in 2%, and any amount of MCC in 24%. Only blood-tinged flui...
Enhancing Online Executive Education Using Storytelling: An Approach to Strengthening Online Social Presence

One distinctive requirement of Executive Education is the need to integrate the corporate experiences of participants and frame them within a common body of knowledge wherein experiences can be shared, analyzed, and absorbed by all participants. What might customarily arise out of classroom camaraderie must now be technologically designed and supported from the outset in online executive education. Our research question is: What can be done to develop online executive programs that utilize the richness of executive experiences as the foundation for analyzing, comprehending, and retaining key concepts learned throughout the course? Storytelling is proposed as a method to capture and use corporate experiences of participating executives in meaningful ways while developing a strong social presence among participants online. This study explores organizational stories, identifying unique story elements and their purposes, and discussing how they can be introduced into online executive courses through modeled behavior, a part of social cognitive theory. Storytelling is compared to traditional case studies and chat rooms. While storytelling may be more difficult to implement, there are significant advantages to storytelling, including making the experience more real, increasing comprehension of concepts, and improving the retention of knowledge.
Problems and perspectives of managing an onchocerciasis control programme: a case study from Plateau state, Nigeria

The onchocerciasis control programme in Plateau state (now Plateau and Nasarawa states), Nigeria, was one of the pioneering Mectizan-distribution projects in Nigeria. Although initiated under the River Blindness Foundation (RBF) in 1991, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, it was absorbed into the Carter Center's Global 2000 River Blindness Programme (GRBP) in 1996. The objectives of the programme were to support the delivery of Mectizan (ivermectin, MSD) to at least 80% of those living in communities where onchocerciasis was highly endemic, within the first 3 years of the project's inception, and to maintain this coverage for a period of 10-15 years. The programme has so far been successful, and much of this success is attributed to problem identification and problem-solving through continuous review and evaluation of programme activities, and implementation of strategies, when required, to ensure those programme objectives are met. The implementation steps of the programme, and some of the managerial problems identified during the course of the effort, are reviewed. The challenge now is to learn how to transform this functional, programme-designed and programme-directed effort into the new community-directed treatment being promoted by the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control. The new challenges of the transition require middle-level managers and implementors with effective, efficient and indeed state-of-the-art management skills.