cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The POU domain is a bipartite DNA-binding structure

The POU domain (pronounced 'pow') is a highly charged 155-162-amino-acid (aa) region of sequence similarity contained within three mammalian transcription factors. Pt-1 (ref. 2), Oct-1 (ref. 3) and Oct-2 (ref. 4), and the product of the nematode gene unc-86 (ref. 5) which is involved in determining neural cell lineage. This domain consists of two subdomains, a C-terminal homoeo domain and an N-terminal POU-specific region separated by a short nonconserved linker; the sequence relationship shows that the POU homoeo domains form a distinct POU-related family. In the ubiquitous and lymphoid-specific octamer-motif binding proteins Oct-1 and Oct-2, the POU domain is sufficient for sequence-specific DNA binding. Homoeobox domains contain a helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif, first identified in bacterial repressors. The helix-turn-helix region of the POU domain is important for DNA binding and, in other classes of homoeo-containing proteins, the entire homoeo domain is sufficient for DNA binding; thus the new POU-specific region could be involved in other functions such as protein-protein interactions. Nevertheless, we show here that in fact the POU domain is a novel bipartite DNA-binding structure in which the POU homoeo and POU-specific regions form two subdomains that are both required for DNA binding but are held together by a flexible linker.
Can urinary nitrite results be used to guide antimicrobial choice for urinary tract infection

Enterococcus is unable to reduce nitrates and is also considered clinically resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), the drug of choice for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI). The purpose of this study was to determine whether urinalysis nitrite results can be used to guide antimicrobial therapy when treating UTI in the emergency department (ED). A retrospective chart review examined 159 university hospital ED outpatients who had signs or symptoms of UTI and had a urinalysis with positive culture. Patients were categorized into two groups based on nitrite results. The proportion of isolates sensitive to TMP/SMX in each group was compared by using a two-sample z-test. Eighty-six urinalyses were nitrite positive: 67 (78%) contained TMP/SMX-sensitive isolates. Seventy-three urinalyses were nitrite negative; 60 (82%) contained sensitive isolates. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of isolates sensitive to TMP/SMX. Thus, we conclude that emergency physicians should not adjust antibiotic therapy for UTI based on nitrite results.
A double interaction screen identifies positive and negative ftz gene regulators and ftz-interacting proteins.

Regulatory genes directing embryonic development are expressed in complex patterns. The Drosophila homeobox gene fushi tarazu (ftz) is expressed in a striped pattern that is controlled by several discrete and large cis- regulatory elements. One key cis-element is the ftz proximal enhancer which is required for stripe establishment and which mediates autoregulation by direct binding of Ftz protein. To identify the trans-acting factors that regulate ftz expression and autoregulation, we developed a modified yeast two hybrid screen, the Double Interaction Screen (DIS). The DIS was designed to isolate both DNA binding transcriptional regulators that interact with the proximal enhancer and proteins that interact with Ftz itself when it is bound to the enhancer. The screen identified two candidate Ftz protein cofactors as well as activators and repressors of ftz transcription that bind directly to the enhancer. One of these (Tramtrack (Ttk)) was previously shown to bind to at least five sites in the proximal enhancer; genetic studies suggested that Ttk acts as a repressor of ftz in the embryo. Here we show that, in yeast cells, Ttk protein strongly activates transcription, suggesting that yeast may be missing a necessary co-repressor which is present in Drosophila embryos. Further, we have characterized the activity of a second candidate ftz repressor isolated in the screen - the product of the pair-rule gene sloppy paired - a member of the forkhead family. We show that Slp1 is a DNA binding protein. We have identified a high affinity binding site for Slp1 in the ftz proximal enhancer. Slp1 represses transcription via this binding site in yeast cells, consistent with its role as a direct repressor of ftz stripes in interstripe regions during late stages of embryogenesis. The DIS should be a generally useful method to identify DNA binding transcriptional regulators and protein partners of previously characterized DNA binding proteins.
PHOSPHOLAMBAN-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF C12E8 ON CALCIUM TRANSPORT AND MOLECULAR DYNAMICS IN CARDIAC SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM

We have studied the effects of the nonionic detergent C12E8 on Ca-ATPase enzymatic activity and oligomeric state (detected by time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy, TPA) in skeletal and cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In skeletal, SR, C12E8 inhibits the CA-ATPase, both at high (micromolar and above) and low (submicromolar) Ca. In cardiac SR, C12E8 inhibits at high Ca but activates at low Ca. Thus C12E8 activates enzymatic activity only in cardiac SR and only under conditions (submicromolar Ca) where phospholamban (PLB) regulates (inhibits) the enzyme [Lu, Y.-Z., & Kirchberger, M.A. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 5056-5062]. TPA of skeletal SR at low and high Ca demonstrates that C12E8 induces aggregation of ATPase monomers and small oligomers. C12E8 also aggregates the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR at high Ca. In cardiac SR at low Ca, the Ca-ATPase is already highly aggregated, and C12E8 partially dissociates these aggregates. Thus the TPA results provide a simple physical explanation for the functional effects: C12E8 inhibits the ATPase when it aggregates the enzyme (skeletal SR at high and low Ca; cardiac SR at high Ca), and the detergent activates when it dissociates ATPase oligomers (cardiac SR at low Ca). C12E8 stabilizes the E2P conformation of the Ca-ATPase with respect to the E2 conformation, and this stabilization is PLB-dependent. Both the physical and functional effects of C12E8 on the Ca-ATPase are PLB-dependent, with C12E8 reversing the effects of PLB. The results provide insight into the mechanism by which PLB regulates the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR.
Biosurveillance Adaptable Framework for Teaming, Exploration and Reuse (BioAFTER)

Next-generation software environments for biosurveillance will need to be adaptable over the years without high reengineering cost, and adaptable day-to-day to fit the unique needs of particular health events. BioAFTER is a software environment combining the ability to collaborate through sharing of data, analysis methods, and analysis results, the ability to search for data, methods and results fitting a user's interests, and the ability to create new analytics on the fly through a drag-and-drop interface that allows 'Apps' to be pieced together as needed. This talk will discuss the rationale for the BioAFTER features and provide a demonstration.
A comparison of bivariate normal algorithms

Statistical methods that implement numerical approximations to the Bivariate Normal (BN) distribution function require high accuracy. Most notable are those involving optimization (e.g., maximum likelihood and nonlinear least squares). Unfortunately high accuracy comes at the cost of increased computation time. For this reason, in the present paper we compare eight Bivariate Normal (BN) approximation algorithms with regard to the accuracy speed trade-off. The method developed by Divgi (1979) emerges as the clear method of choice, achieving 14-digit accuracy ten and a half times faster than its nearest competitor. Furthermore, in the time required by Divgi's approximation to reach this level of precision none of the other methods can support better than 3-digit accuracy.
The Effect of Strain and Strain Symmetry on the Charge-Order Transition in Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3 Films

The transition to a charge and orbital ordered (CO/OO) state in epitaxial manganite films is strongly influenced by lattice strain. Bi1− x Ca x MnO3 is a particularly interesting material due to its high transition temperature and its relation to other Bi-based materials. Here, we review its properties and show the effects of strain and strain symmetry on Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3 films on SrTiO3 (STO) and LaAlO3 substrates with (pseudocubic) (001) and (011) orientations. Transport and magnetization data are compared to four-circle X-ray diffraction and high-resolution Z-contrast scanning transmission microscopy data. We observe the spontaneous formation of single-unit-cell thick, Bi-rich layers only on (001) STO substrates and different defect structures depending on the substrate type and orientation. This shows that the details of epitaxial strain play a role not only at phase transitions, but also during the growth of these materials. Results are compared to those published for other CO/OO manganite films.
Behavioral issues in the design and evaluation of advanced traveler information systems

Decisions about implementing Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) should be based on the individual and social benefits expected from such technologies, which will be strongly dependent on the ways travelers respond to these new information sources. This paper explores the behavioral issues important to understanding traveler reactions to ATIS; it discusses evaluation strategies, including stated preference methods and observation of revealed behavior in laboratory simulations and field tests with various degrees of control and complexity. Advantages and disadvantages of different approaches are reviewed, and the experimental design challenges of site selection, recruitment of test subjects, and measurement of behavior are explored.
Erythropoiesis in normal and mutant chick embryos

Abstract Hemoglobin DDavis (Hb DD), an autosomal codominant in chickens, the αD-globin chain of Hb M of primitive cells and Hb D of definitive erythrocytes. Erythropoiesis and Hb synthesis was investigated in normal, heterozygous, and homozygous Hb DD mutant embryos (stages 15–44) and adults. The time of appearance, morphology, relationships to developmental changes, and number of primitive and definitive cells were determined. Primitive hemoglobins between stages 17 and 44 showed four components, P1, P2, E, and M (or MD), on high-resolution isoelectric focusing gels. Comparison of P1 P2 ratios in the four phenotypes indicated that homozygous Hb DD embryos had an increased proportion of Hb P2 relative to Hb P1 between stages 17 and 35. This difference coincided with an increase in the number of large primitive cells. In all phenotypes the proportions of primitive hemoglobins decreased after stage 25 and they were not detected after stage 40. Basophilic definitive erythroblasts were present in cell suspensions from all phenotypes between stages 24 and 25. Hb A, the major Hb and Hb D, the minor Hb, of definitive cells of embryos and adults were detected by isoelectric focusing of lysates by stage 29. Definitive cells from late embryos of all phenotypes had higher proportions of Hb D (or Hb DD) than did red cells from corresponding adult birds. Heterozygous Hb DD embroys and adults had both Hb D and Hb DD. Hb DD comprises about 30% of the total minor Hb rather than 50% expected for heterozygosity at a single locus. In this respect heterozygous Hb DD chick embryos and adult birds are similar to certain heterozygous α-chain variants in humans. A minor Hb, H, found in lysates of later embryos disappears in lysates of normal chicks 65 days after hatching, but was present in the circulation of homozygous Hb DD chicks until at least 195 days after hatching. Additionally, several minor Hb components which may be asymmetrical hybrids or derived precursors of Hb A and Hb D (or Hb DD) were observed. This study provides the precise developmental stages when the switchover of erythroid cell populations and hemoglobins in the chick embryo occurs. This is the first investigation of an α-globin chain mutant which is synthesized during all stages of red cell development and may be a useful animal model for the study of hemoglobinopathies in vertebrates.
Lateral cerebral peduncle lesions: Amnestie effects on a visual habit in the rat

Discrete bilateral electrolytic lesions destroying the lateral half of the cerebral peduncle and the overlying lateral nucleus of the substantia nigra (which disconnect a pathway from the occipital cortex to the brainstem reticular formation) in the rat produced profound losses in retention of a horizontal-vertical discrimination habit. Similarly placed lesions had a significantly smaller amnestic effect on a nonvisual (kinesthetic) discrimination habit. These results, in conjunction with others, suggest that a direct occipitoreticular pathway may be involved in the performance of visual discrimination habits, possibly serving in visuomotor integration, attention to visual cues, and/or formation of visual engrams.
Damage Assessment of the Greenbug on Grain Sorghum

Population density of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) Was manipulated by use of insecticide to determine economic injury levels on grain sorghum. Based on previously published data and tests designed specifically to determine greenbug number and plant damage required to cause significant grain losses, apparently a mean of ca. 1300-1500 greenbugs per plant at about the bloom stage of growth and mean leaf death in excess of 3 per plant were required to cause economic loss.
Pestalone, a new antibiotic produced by a marine fungus in response to bacterial challenge

The isolation and structure determination of a new chlorinated benzophenone antibiotic, pestalone (1), is described. The new compound was produced by a cultured marine fungus only when a unicellular marine bacterium, strain CNJ-328, was co-cultured in the fungal fermentation. The fungus, isolated from the surface of the brown alga Rosenvingea sp. collected in the Bahamas Islands, was identified as an undescribed member of the genus Pestalotia. The structure of 1, initially assigned with only modest confidence by combined spectral and chemical data, was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Pestalone (1) exhibits moderate in vitro cytotoxicity in the National Cancer Institute's 60 human tumor cell line screen (mean GI(50) = 6.0 microM). More importantly, pestalone shows potent antibiotic activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 37 ng/mL) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (MIC = 78 ng/mL), indicating that pestalone should be evaluated in advanced models of infectious disease.
Modification of the DNA Damage Response by Therapeutic CDK4/6 Inhibition

The RB/E2F axis represents a critical node of cell signaling that integrates a diverse array of signaling pathways. Recent evidence has suggested a role for E2F-mediated gene transcription in DNA damage response and repair, as well as apoptosis signaling. Herein, we investigated how repression of E2F activity via CDK4/6 inhibition and RB activation impacts the response of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) to frequently used therapeutic agents. In combination with taxanes and anthracyclines CDK4/6 inhibition and consequent cell cycle arrest prevented the induction of DNA damage and associated cell death in an RB-dependent manner; thereby demonstrating antagonism between the cytostatic influence of the CDK-inhibitor and cytotoxic agents. As many of these effects were secondary to cell cycle arrest, γ-irradiation (IR) was utilized to examine effects of CDK4/6 inhibition on direct DNA damage. Although E2F controls a number of genes involved in DNA repair (e.g. Rad51), CDK4/6 inhibition did not alter the overall rate of DNA repair, rather it significantly shifted the burden of this repair from homologous recombination (HR) to non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Together, these data indicate that CDK4/6 inhibition can antagonize cytotoxic therapeutic strategies and increases utilization of error-prone DNA repair mechanisms that could contribute to disease progression.
The Relation of Cardiovascular Phenomena to Metabolic Changes in a Patient with Chronic Hypokalemia

Cardiovascular phenomena were studied and correlated with metabolic data in an adult male with chronic hypokalemia. The appearance and disappearance of postural hypotension, the changes in heart rate, the S-T segment shifts, and the U-wave amplitudes correlated well with the changing serum potassium level during experimental acute potassium depletion. QRS and T-wave changes could not be correlated with metabolic data. Comparison with the cardiovascular manifestations of experimental potassium depletion in normal subjects suggested that this patient had a chronic potassium depletion of at least 300 mEq.
Holocene profile changes along a California coastal stream

Walker Creek in Marin County, California is a coastal stream draining to Tomales Bay, which lies in the San Andreas Rift Zone. Its valley contains an alluvial fill with a basal gravel dated at 5000 years BP. In upstream parts of the watershed, channels are incised arroyo-like in the fill leaving the valley floor standing as a high terrace averaging 5·5 m (18 ft) high. Below this terrace is an inner terrace of historic age that stands 2·4 m (8 ft) above the streambed. The stratigraphy and morphology of this valley are seen in others nearby, and indicate that in the last half of Holocene time in this region a single episode of valley alluviation was followed by two episodes of valley cutting. The second episode of valley cutting is occurring in the present time. During the last 60 years the flow has become seasonal, the stream has incised 1·5 m (5 ft) below the inner terrace in upstream reaches, aggraded 1·2 m (4 ft) in downstream reaches, and extended its estuary. Incision upstream has begun to re-expose the bedrock valley floor and is associated with aggradation downstream that has caused the flood plain to overtop both terraces. This has decreased the stream's gradient. Using a stream that is currently effecting major changes in its valley and channel morphology, two aspects of hydraulic adjustment in fluvial systems are examined. The changes in the average slope of the longitudinal profile are small but measureable. Profile concavity has not changed measurably. The various profiles that have existed in Holocene time show that stream gradient can be, but is not necessarily, slightly adjusted during valley filling and cutting. Flow measurements at a high discharge show that the channel has begun to assume the hydraulic geometry of an ephemeral channel. Adjustments of depth, velocity, and roughness appear to be hydraulic adjustments in response to changing watershed conditions.
Induction of tyrosine aminotransferase in HTC cells by N6, O2′-dibutyryl adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate

Abstract The specific activity of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) in HTC cells growing in monolayer cultures is increased by N6, O2′-dibutyryl adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (DBcAMP). This increase occurs rapidly and becomes maximal in about three hours. Butyrate and the natural 3′, 5′-cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are ineffective. There is no influence of DBcAMP on overall protein synthesis, and the increase in TAT activity is blocked by cycloheximide but not by actinomycin D. Thus, in these hepatoma cells, which were previously considered to lack the responsiveness of liver to cyclic nucleotides, DBcAMP seems to increase specifically the rate of TAT synthesis.
Smokeless tobacco contains a nonnicotine inhibitor of bone metabolism

The effects of smokeless tobacco on bone were investigated using tibiae from chick embryos. The bones were cultured in nicotine (15-1500 micrograms/ml) or in smokeless tobacco extract (STE, 15 mg tobacco/ml culture medium) and the effects on bone glucose metabolism (oxygen consumption and lactate production) and collagen synthesis ([3H]proline hydroxylation) were tested in vitro. Only the highest concentration of nicotine tested produced substantial effects as demonstrated by decreased oxygen consumption and [3H]hydroxyproline content (82 and 90%, respectively) and by a 15% increase in lactate production. Results with STE, which contained nicotine concentrations ranging from 104 to 125 micrograms/ml, showed similarly reduced [3H]hydroxyproline content (90%), but oxygen consumption was only reduced 36%, while lactate production was elevated 60%. The ability of the bones to recover from treatment with STE was demonstrated by increased oxygen consumption and [3H]hydroxyproline content (18 and 78%, respectively) and decreased lactate production (47%) compared to the STE-treated bones. These findings suggest the following conclusions: (1) both nicotine and STE at concentrations found in the saliva of smokeless tobacco users stimulate glycolysis and markedly inhibit bone collagen synthesis and mitochondrial activity; (2) effects of STE on bone are not due to nicotine; and (3) under the conditions studied, bone partially recovers from the effects of STE.
Sample spectral correlation-based measures for subpixels and mixed pixels in real hyperspectral imagery

A hyperspectral imaging sensor images a scene using hundreds of contiguous spectral channels to uncover many substances that cannot be resolved by multspectral sensors with tens of discrete spectral channels. Many spectral measures used for target discrimination and identification in hyperspectral imagery have been derived directly from multsispectral imagery rather than from a hyperspectral imagery viewpoint. This paper demonstrates that on many occasions such spectral measures are generally not effective when it is applied to real hyperspectral data for discrimination and identification due to the fact that they do not take into account the very high sample spectral correlation (SSC) provided by hyperspectral sensors. In order to address this issue, two approaches, referred to as a priori sample spectral correlation (PR-SSC) and a posteriori SSC (PSSSC) are developed to account for spectral variability within real data to achieve better target discrimination and identification. While the former can be used to derive a family of a priori hyperspectral measures via orthogonal subspace projection (OSP) to eliminate interfering effects caused by undesired signatures, the latter results in a family of a posteriori hyperspectral measures that include sample covariance/correlation matrix as a posteriori information to increase ability in discrimination and identification. Interestingly, some well-known measures such as Euclidean distance (ED) and spectral angle mapper (SAM) can be shown to be special cases of the proposed PR-SSC and PS-SSC hyperspectral measures.
Climate and other scenarios disrupt priorities in several management perspectives

Climate vulnerability and adaptation assessments are increasingly typical of infrastructure agencies. In contrast to global emissions reductions, adaptation decision making tends to occur on smaller geographic scales and nearer time horizons. The supporting analyses are performed by local agencies with relatively sparse data and few resources. Recent efforts of the authors introduced scenario-based preferences to perform risk analysis for these agencies in a single perspective, updating management priorities when climate and non-climate stressors combine. On the other hand, a single perspective fails to account for the complexities of infrastructures, organizations, and stakeholders. Several perspectives should include asset management, project selection, policy-making, demography/geography, research and development, and others. This paper develops a framework to address several management perspectives, finding the implications of climate and other conditions to update agency priorities. The framework is demonstrated for a twenty-year transportation plan with approximately 600 square miles in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA. The demonstration includes that a scenario of climate combined with increased travel demand is relatively more influential across several perspectives, when considering climate both alone and in combination with each of economic recession, wear and tear, and ecosystem stressors.
Gender sensitivity and the drive for IT: Lessons from the NetCorps Jordan Project

This article uses the NetCorps Jordan project as a case study of the ways in which Information Technology transforms social and economic life at the grass roots. Particular attention is paid to the role of gender in shaping such processes. In the end, this essay explores the motivations, the hopes and the results of one Arab country's IT4 D experiment using the narratives of the participants as a guide. It is clear from the analysis below that culture, context and gender play a significant role in who gets to do what with IT.
Detection of hyperdiploidy and breakage affecting the 1cen‐1q12 region of cultured interphase human lymphocytes treated with various genotoxic agents

Chromosomal aberrations are associated with cancer, birth defects, and pregnancy loss. Previous studies using banding techniques have revealed that chromosomal alterations induced in human peripheral lymphocytes by many genotoxic agents occur nonrandomly throughout the genome. One of the regions prone to breakage is the centromeric heterochromatin of chromosome 1. We have developed a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) procedure using tandem DNA probes to distinguish hyperdiploidy from breakage occurring in this region. Interphase nuclei exhibiting breakage or exchanges affecting the 1cen-1q12 region can readily be distinguished from nuclei hyperdiploid for this chromosome by identifying the number and location of the hybridization signals. This hybridization approach was tested using cultured human lymphocytes treated with a series of known aneuploidy-inducing agents (colchicine, diethylstilbestrol, and vincristine sulfate), several potent clastogens (ionizing radiation, mitomycin C, and etoposide), as well as sodium arsenite and hydroquinone, agents that have been reported to have relatively weak aneuploidy-inducing and clastogenic activity. Significant increases in chromosomal alterations were seen with all agents tested and the results were generally consistent with those previously seen using standard cytogenetic techniques. Treatment with colchicine, diethylstilbestrol, and vincristine sulfate resulted in high frequencies of primarily hyperdiploid nuclei, and cells exposed to radiation, mitomycin C, and etoposide exhibited elevated frequencies of breakage affecting the 1cen-1q12 region. Sodium arsenite and hydroquinone induced relatively minor but significant increases in both hyperdiploidy and breakage. These results indicate that this tandem labeling approach can be used to distinguish aneuploidy-inducing agents from those causing breakage in interphase human cells and may be a valuable procedure for monitoring human populations exposed to genotoxic agents.
Blood vessel adaptation to gravity in a semi-arboreal snake

The effects of vasoactive agonists on systemic blood vessels were examined with respect to anatomical location and gravity acclimation in the semi-arboreal snake, Elaphe Obsoleta. Major blood vessels were reactive to putative neurotransmitters, hormones or local factors in vessel specific patterns. Catecholamines, adenosine triphosphate, histamine and high potassium (80 mM) stimulated significantly greater tension per unit vessel mass in posterior than anterior arteries. Anterior vessels were significantly more sensitive to catecholamines than midbody and posterior vessels. Angiotensin II stimulated significantly greater tension in carotid artery than in midbody and posterior dorsal aorta. Arginine vasotocin strongly contracted the left and right aortic arches and anterior dorsal aorta. Veins were strongly contracted by catecholamines, high potassium and angiotensin II, but less so by adenosine triphosphate, arginine vasotocin and histamine. Precontracted vessel were relaxed by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, but not by atrial natriuretic peptide or bradykinin. Chronic exposure of snakes to intermittent hypergravity stress ( + 1.5 Gz at tail) did not affect the majority of vessel responses. These data demonstrate that in vitro tension correlates with that catecholamines, as well as other agonists, are important in mediating vascular responses to gravitational stresses in snakes.
Kainic acid: Enduring alterations in cerebellar morphology and in cerebral catecholamine and GABA concentrations after cerebellar injection in the rat

Abstract Kainic acid injected locally in the vermian cortex produces a focal lesion with severe cellular loss. Microscopic changes in 3-week-old preparations are given for both central and peripheral segments. Biochemical studies indicate that norepinephrine, dopamine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in the forebrain are consistently higher on the side of the lesion and remain elevated for at least 3 weeks. It is postulated that disinhibition of cerebellar activity traversing the uncrossed pathway from cerebellar nuclei to catecholamine cell bodies was a major mechanism causing increased catecholamine metabolism in the ipsilateral forebrain.
Differences in the regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase in brain and liver.

—l-Tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.5) activity in rat brain is not regulated in the same way as in rat liver. No diurnal rhythm in the activity of the cerebral enzyme was found in rats fed ad lib. although there was a marked diurnal variation in the activity of the hepatic enzyme. In adrenalectomized rats, hydrocortisone and glucagon induced the enzyme in liver but had no effect on the enzyme in brain. In normal rats, treatment with reserpine or exposure to cold elevated the activity of the hepatic enzyme without affecting the enzyme in brain. Thus, the tyrosine aminotransferase of brain differed from the enzyme in liver since it did not exhibit diurnal variations of activity and was not affected by hormones, drugs, or stress.
Differences in murine procarcinogen activation enzymes are not accompanied by parallel differences in procarcinogen-induced sister-chromatid exchange

C57Bl/6 and DBA/2 mice, strains in which there is marked induction of hepatic monooxygenase activity by phenobarbital, were tested for in vivo sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) formation in response to cyclophosphamide, an agent metabolized by this inducible enzyme system. Baseline SCE frequencies were between 4 and 6 SCEs/cell in regenerating liver and bone marrow of both strains of mice. Administration of cyclophosphamide (5mg/kg) led to an increase of nearly 8 SCEs/cell in both tissues of C57Bl/6 mice and an increase of more than 10 SCEs/cell in DBA/2 mice. Prior exposure to phenobarbital induced p-chloromethylaniline demethylase activity in regenerating liver of both mouse strains approx. 6-fold, but the changes in measured SCE frequencies were not significantly different from those obtained in the absence of enzyme induction. These results, together with our previous observation that induction by 3-methylcholanthrene of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity in the same mouse strains was not accompanied by a comparable change in benzo[a]pyrene-induced SCE formation, reinforce the impression that simple assays of differences in mixed function oxidase activities may not necessarily be good predictors of hereditary differences in the response to genetic damage by procarcinogens which are presumed to be metabolized by these enzymes.
Effect of unequal rise and fall times on the autocorrelation function of a PN sequence

The rise and fall times of a pseudo-noise (PN) waveform are of concern in a short-range, CW radar such as a missile fuze radar. An inequality creates a spurious pair of sidelobes and a spiky ripple on the sidelobes of the autocorrelation function, which may cause false alarms in the radar. Analytical expressions are presented which relate the spurious responses of the autocorrelation function to the waveform rise and fall times.
Endothelial damage and autoimmune diseases

This issue of Autoimmunity reviews the mechanisms that lead to vascular damage in systemic autoimmune diseases. In addition, this issue explores recent advances in the understanding of how abnormalities in angiogenesis present in autoimmune diseases may lead to tissue damage and/or to premature vascular disease.
Binding of E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin to rat intestinal brush borders and to basolateral membranes.

We studied the binding ofE. coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) to rat brush borders (BB) and to basolateral membranes (BLM) using a biologically active monoiodinated radioligand ([125I]STa) and highly enriched BB and BLM preparations free of other significant organelle contamination. Binding of [125I] STa to BB was specific; time-, temperature-, and pH-dependent; saturable; and partially reversible. Nonlabeled toxin competitively inhibited the binding of radioligand to BB in a dose-related manner. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of receptors with an apparent affinity constant of 8.7±1.5×108 l/mol. Binding was not affected by amino acids, sugars, and lectins. Proteolytic enzymes significantly decreased binding, although several did so by modifying the radioligand. Trypsin inhibited binding without modifying the radioligand thus supporting the proteinaceous nature of the receptor. Since the enrichment in binding activity in the BB over the homogenate was significantly lower than the enrichment in sucrase activity, we concluded that binding activity is probably associated with other membranous domains, but direct examination revealed no binding activity on basolateral membranes.
Vascular Mapping: Does It Help To Maximize Fistulae Placement?

The population of patients with ESRD in the United States is progressively increasing, with hemodialysis (HD) as the major mode of renal replacement therapy. The National Kidney Foundation's Dialysis Outcomes and Quality Initiative and the Fistula First Initiative recommend increasing the use of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) in both incident and prevalent hemodialysis patients. One measure proposed is the use of pre-operative vascular mapping to assess the upper extremities for the presence of suitable vessels prior to the surgical creation of an AVF among both pre-dialysis CKD and ESRD patients on HD. This article aims to review the literature on vascular mapping, including the various techniques; their advantages and disadvantages; and whether they help to maximize the AVF creation rate as well as increase the use of AVF in the HD population.
Parametric Evaluation of Thin, Transonic Circulation-Control Airfoils

Wind-tunnel tests were conducted in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel on a 6 percent-thick, elliptical circulation-control airfoil with upper-surface and lower-surface blowing capability. Results for elliptical Coanda trailing-edge geometries, biconvex Coanda trailing-edge geometries, and leading-edge geometries are reported. Results are presented at subsonic and transonic Mach numbers of 0.3 and 0.8, respectively. When considering one fixed trailing-edge geometry, for both the subsonic and transonic conditions it was found that the [3.0:1] ratio elliptical Coanda surface with the most rounded leading-edge [03] performed favorably and was determined to be the best compromise between comparable configurations that took advantage of the Coanda effect. This configuration generated a maximum. (Delta)C(sub 1) = 0.625 at a C(sub mu) = 0.06 at M = 0.3, alpha = 6deg. This same configuration generated a maximum (Delta)C(sub 1) = 0.275 at a C(sub mu) = 0.0085 at M = 0.8, alpha = 3deg.
Understanding the Value of Countermeasure Portfolios in Information Systems Security

Organizations are faced with a variety of information security threats and implement several information system security countermeasures (ISSCs) to mitigate possible damage due to security attacks. These security countermeasures vary in their ability to deal with different types of security attacks and, hence, are implemented as a portfolio of ISSCs. A key challenge for organizations is to understand the economic consequences of security attacks relative to the ISSC portfolio implemented. This paper combines the risk analysis and disaster recovery perspectives to build an integrated simulation model of ISSC portfolio value. The model incorporates the characteristics of an ISSC portfolio relative to the threat and business environments and includes the type of attack, frequency of attacks, possible damage, and the extent and time of recovery from damage. The simulation experiments provide interesting insights into the interactions between ISSC portfolio components and characteristics of business and threat environments in determining portfolio value.
Phenomenon of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia associated with skin necrosis

Abstract Heparin, an anticoagulant medication used therapeutically and prophylactically, may have thrombotic complications that are paradoxical in nature. There is growing awareness, as evidenced by recent reports, that heparin has a small but definite incidence of causing thrombocytopenia (6 to 8 days after initiation of therapy) associated with platelet aggregation causing intravascular thrombosis, with potentially devastating morbidity and mortality. We review this phenomenon and bring attention to a recent case that resulted in a 10 × 19 cm full-thickness skin necrosis of the thigh. This case clearly implicates heparin as the "aggregating factor" of platelets, resulting in intravascular thrombosis. No risk factors have been identified that place a patient at increased risk for this phenomenon. This disorder occurs in patients who have received all forms of heparin. Therefore all patients receiving heparin are considered at risk. Early recognition of thrombocytopenia in patients receiving heparin will alert the physician to this disorder.
Audio-visual saliency map: Overview, basic models and hardware implementation

In this paper we provide an overview of audiovisual saliency map models. In the simplest model, the location of auditory source is modeled as a Gaussian and use different methods of combining the auditory and visual information. We then provide experimental results with applications of simple audio-visual integration models for cognitive scene analysis. We validate the simple audio-visual saliency models with a hardware convolutional network architecture and real data recorded from moving audio-visual objects. The latter system was developed under Torch language by extending the attention.lua (code) and attention.ui (GUI) files that implement Culurciello's visual attention model.
Solubility of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate near Propane and Carbon Dioxide Hydrate-Forming Conditions

The solubility of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in water at temperatures between (270.5 and 281.3) K near propane and carbon dioxide hydrate-forming conditions was determined by directly sampling the SDS solution from a high-pressure reactor. The SDS solubility near propane or carbon dioxide hydrate-forming conditions is identical to that at ambient conditions. The results indicate that the Krafft point for SDS does not shift to a temperature below 281 K even in the presence of high-pressure propane or carbon dioxide.
The Challenge: Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles to Change

A broad constituency for change in the workplace has emerged which clearly argues for implementation of diverse strategies to create change. A new vision of what constitutes effective work systems dominates management thought: the ‘transformed’ or high involvement organization. Despite reported gains in performance and the growth of innovative practices, the majority of American firms still operate on the mass production model. Why? Clear and identifiable obstacles to implementing change impede or block organizational transformation. These obstacles and strategies to overcome them are discussed.
The determinants of immigration-policy preferences in advanced economies: A cross-country study

This paper employs survey data to examine the determinants of immigration-policy preferences among ten advanced economies. Ordered probit specifications suggest that skill level is a robust determinant of immigration-policy preferences and that less-skilled workers are more likely to express a preference for policies that restrict immigration. The results also suggest that older individuals, members of trade unions, and those who classify their political ideology as conservative are more likely to favor limiting immigration while non-citizens are less likely to favor such policies. Individual country-level regression results vary, in particular with regard to the influence of trade union member-ship, which is a robust determinant of immigration-policy preferences for both measures of skill in only a subset of nations.
The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids on cAMP accumulation in synaptosomes

Abstract The effects of Δ 9 -THC and other cannabinoids on cAMP levels in synaptosomes from mouse brains were investigated in order to determine whether cannabinoids produced their behavioral effects through alterations in adenylate cyclase. Δ 9 -THC (0.01–10 μM) did not significantly alter basal cAMP levels, whereas Δ 9 -THC and other cannabinoids were able to alter forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels in synaptosomes. In general, three kinds of responses were observed. Some cannabinoids displayed a modest, concentration-dependent decrease in cAMP levels, producing significant inhibition between 1–10 μM. Other cannabinoids, including Δ 9 -THC and Δ 8 -THC, appeared to produce a biphasic effect in that inhibition of cAMP was observed only at a single concentration. Finally, some analogs were unable to significantly alter forskolin-stimulated cAMP. There was not a clear relationship between the ability of the cannabinoids to alter cAMP levels in synaptosomes and the behavioral effects observed in mice. However, it was demonstrated that the analogs which are the most potent in producing cannabimimetic effects in mice were the analogs which inhibited cAMP in a concentration-dependent manner. While cannabinoids were able to alter cAMP levels in synaptosomes, the ability to alter cAMP levels does not appear to be absolutely necessary for the production of cannabinoid effects in mice.
Asynchrony of mossy fibre inputs and excitatory postsynaptic currents in rat hippocampus.

1. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were studied by whole-cell voltage-clamp recording (WCR) from pyramidal cells in the CA3 field of rat hippocampal slices. Input from mossy fibres was evoked by stimuli applied to stratum granulosum ('dentate gyrus stimulation'). This often resulted in complex, multi-component EPSCs with rise times as long as 5.0 ms (mean = 2.5 ms). In contrast, individual EPSC components typically had rise times between 0.3 and 1.0 ms. 2. To isolate monosynaptic, mossy fibre-driven EPSC components, slices were exposed to 'suppressing' media that reduced response amplitudes by 64-88%. In five out of six cases, long EPSC rising phases (> 3 ms) retained the same shape during suppression. This implied that EPSCs were driven by asynchronously active mossy fibre inputs. 3. From latencies of antidromically driven granule cell population spikes (GCPSs) a mean conduction velocity of 0.67 m/s was inferred. Conduction distance had practically no correlation with GCPS duration, implying that velocity dispersion was small and did not desynchronize mossy fibre impulses. EPSC components exhibited 'surplus' latency; they occurred 0.9-4.8 ms after latencies expected on the basis of direct conduction distances. 4. Mossy fibre volleys (MFVs) were evoked by dentate gyrus stimulation and studied with neurotransmission disabled. MFV negative phases lasted from 2.5 to 4.5 ms and had multiple components. By comparison, negative phases of Schaffer collateral fibre volleys (SCFVs) were always simple in shape and lasted 1.5 ms or less. MFV components had surplus latencies similar to those of EPSC components. Late MFV components did not require high stimulus intensities. 5. Widespread activation of granule cells occurred when stimuli were applied to single loci in the stratum granulosum. This implies that such stimuli elicit antidromic impulses in hilar collaterals of mossy fibres, which could result in activation of orthodromic impulses in mossy fibre trunks that had not been stimulated directly. After anti-, then orthodromic conduction, impulses would arrive in the CA3 subfield with 'surplus' latency. 6. When cuts were made in the hilus to prevent anti-/orthodromic conduction, MFV durations were reduced, but only to a small extent. This implies that surplus latency and asynchrony arise in part by anti-/orthodromic conduction, and partly by a mechanism that is intrinsic to mossy fibres or their 'giant' boutons. 7. Because of desynchronization of mossy fibre inputs, there probably are significant differences between kinetic properties of averaged, compound mossy fibre EPSCs and those of unitary mossy fibre EPSCs (i.e. currents driven by input from single presynaptic axons).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Development of a dual MCP framing camera for high energy x-raysa)

Recently developed diagnostic techniques at LLNL require recording backlit images of extremely dense imploded plasmas using hard x-rays, and demand the detector to be sensitive to photons with energies higher than 50 keV [R. Tommasini et al., Phys. Phys. Plasmas 18, 056309 (2011); G. N. Hall et al., “AXIS: An instrument for imaging Compton radiographs using ARC on the NIF,” Rev. Sci. Instrum. (these proceedings)]. To increase the sensitivity in the high energy region, we propose to use a combination of two MCPs. The first MCP is operated in a low gain regime and works as a thick photocathode, and the second MCP works as a high gain electron multiplier. We tested the concept of this dual MCP configuration and succeeded in obtaining a detective quantum efficiency of 4.5% for 59 keV x-rays, 3 times larger than with a single plate of the thickness typically used in NIF framing cameras.
Hadron Loops: General Theorems and Application to Charmonium

In this paper, we develop a formalism for incorporating hadron loops into the quark model. We derive expressions for mass shifts, continuum components, and mixing amplitudes of ``quenched'' quark model states due to hadron loops, as perturbation series in the valence-continuum coupling Hamiltonian. We prove three general theorems regarding the effects of hadron loops, which show that given certain constraints on the external ``bare'' quark model states, the valence-continuum coupling, and the hadrons summed in the loops, the following results hold: (1) The loop mass shifts are identical for all states within a given $N,L$ multiplet. (2) These states have the same total open-flavor decay widths. (3) Loop-induced valence configuration mixing vanishes provided that ${L}_{i}\ensuremath{\ne}{L}_{f}$ or ${S}_{i}\ensuremath{\ne}{S}_{f}$. The charmonium system is used as a numerical case study, with the ${}^{3}{P}_{0}$ decay model providing the valence-continuum coupling. We evaluate the mass shifts and continuum mixing numerically for all $1S,1P$, and $2S$ charmonium valence states due to loops of $D,{D}^{*},{D}_{s}$, and ${D}_{s}^{*}$ meson pairs. We find that the mass shifts are quite large but numerically similar for all the low-lying charmonium states, as suggested by the first theorem. Thus, loop mass shifts may have been ``hidden'' in the valence quark model by a change of parameters. The two-meson continuum components of the physical charmonium states are also found to be large, creating challenges for the interpretation of the constituent quark model.