cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Involvement of GDNF in neuronal protection against 6-OHDA-induced parkinsonism following intracerebral transplantation of fetal kidney tissues in adult rats

Exogenous application of transforming growth factors-beta (TGF beta) family proteins, including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin, activin, and bone morphogenetic proteins, has been shown to protect neurons in many models of neurological disorders. Finding a tissue source containing a variety of these proteins may promote optimal beneficial effects for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Because fetal kidneys express many TGF beta trophic factors, we transplanted these tissues directly into the substantia nigra after a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion. We found that animals that received fetal kidney tissue grafts exhibited (1) significantly reduced hemiparkinsonian asymmetrical behaviors, (2) a near normal tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the lesioned nigra and striatum, (3) a preservation of K(+)-induced dopamine release in the lesioned striatum, and (4) high levels of GDNF protein within the grafts. In contrast, lesioned animals that received grafts of adult kidney tissues displayed significant behavioral deficits, dopaminergic depletion, reduced K(+)-mediated striatal dopamine release, and low levels of GDNF protein within the grafts. The present study suggests that fetal kidney tissue grafts can protect the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system against a neurotoxin-induced parkinsonism, possibly through the synergistic release of GDNF and several other neurotrophic factors.
In situ nuclear disassembly: Efficient phacoemulsification without nuclear rotation using lateral sweep sculpting and in situ cracking techniques

We describe an in situ nuclear disassembly technique using a simplified form of sculpting and cracking, enhanced by phacoemulsification technology with a Kelman-style tip. The technique does not require mobilization or rotation of the nucleus within the capsular bag, and hydrodissection is optional. The technique requires a Kelman-style curved tip and Kuglen hook and takes advantage of the versatility of the curved phacoemulsification needle for sculpting and cracking. Since in situ nuclear disassembly requires no rotation of the nucleus for extraction, it is useful in cases in which zonules are compromised or the surgeon suspects posterior lenticonus and the potential for loss of integrity of the posterior capsule.
CuGaO2 thin film synthesis using hydrogen-assisted pulsed laser deposition

Phase formation, crystallinity, and orientation of CuGaO2 thin films is reported in which hydrogen gas is utilized as a reducing reactant during growth to drive the valence state of Cu to +1. At relatively low growth temperatures, the films are a mixture of CuGaO2, Cu2O, and CuGa2O4. At higher temperatures, the majority phase is CuGaO2. The use of H2 during film growth facilitated the formation of the delafossite phase. Phase purity is further improved via high temperature annealing. The formation of the delafossite phase via post-annealing treatment is in agreement with the thermodynamic equilibrium studies of the Cu-Ga-O system, showing that the CuGaO2 phase is thermodynamically stable under the conditions considered. With the post-annealing process, we achieved phase-pure CuGaO2 films with p-type resistivity on the order of 30 Ω cm and carrier density of mid-1017 cm-3.
The effect of hypoxic cell radiosensitizing drugs on cellular oxygen utilization.

Abstract Various heterocyclic nitrocompounds ( nitroimidazoles, nitrofurans, nitropyrroles, nitrobenzenes ) and thiol reactants (such as diamide and N - ethylmaleimide ) that have been studied as anoxic cell radiosensitizers , alter cellular oxygen utilization . The effects are dependent upon the electron affinity and concentration of the drug , as well as on glucose and endogenous reducing substrates . Some of the drugs alter oxygen uptake by direct inhibition of electron transport , while others stimulate cellular oxygen utilization by forming oxygen-reactive nitro-intermediates . The production of these intermediates may be demonstrated with cyanide-inhibited cells or with purified microsomes. Ascorbate , in buffered solution, mimics cyanide-inhibited cells and purified microsomes by also producing oxygen-reactive nitro-intermediates. The importance of the drug effects on oxygen consumption is discussed with respect to radiation sensitization of multi-cellular systems in vitro and in vivo .
On comparing the resurrection appearances with apparitions

After building a historical case for the post-mortem appearances of Jesus, I discuss the current landscape of apparitions research within the field of parapsychology. A balanced comparison of these two visual phenomena indicates that there are many more differences than similarities that might obtain between them. Because the resurrection appearances were seen as unique irruptions of the divine in human history, apparitions cannot be used as the primary basis for understanding the nature of the appearances. By interacting with Dale Allison's references to apparitions and, by extension, the historical credibility of the resurrection of Jesus, the argument of this article seeks to reinstate the uniqueness of the resurrection appearances.
High-Performance $\hbox{In}_{0.5}\hbox{Ga}_{0.5} \hbox{As/GaAs}$ Quantum-Dot Lasers on Silicon With Multiple-Layer Quantum-Dot Dislocation Filters

Compound-semiconductor-based lasers grown directly on silicon substrates would constitute an important technology for the realization of on-chip optical interconnects. The characteristics of GaAs-or InP-based devices on silicon can be degraded by the large density of propagating dislocations resulting from the large lattice mismatch (> 4%). The use of multiple layers of self-organized In(Ga, Al)As/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) as a 3D dislocation filter to impede the propagation of dislocations and to reduce dislocation density in GaAs/Si lattice-mismatched heterostructures has been investigated. The effectiveness of this technique, depending on QD composition, size, areal density, and number of dot layers, is analyzed by a quasi-3D model of strain-dislocation interaction. It is found that ten layers of InAs QDs of size ~20-30 nm constitute the most effective dislocation filter. This is experimentally verified by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and performance characteristics of In0.5Ga0.5As/GaAs QD separate confinement heterostructure lasers on Si. The lasers exhibit Jth~900 A/cm2 at 273 K, the large characteristic temperature (T0=278 K) is in the temperature range of 5degC-85degC, and the output slope efficiency (~0.4 W/A) is independent of temperature in the range of 5degC-50degC.
Time Lag to Diagnosis of Stroke in Children

Objective. Strokes occur rarely in children, and the causes are different from those in adults. Frequently, more than 1 cause is found. The consequences are lifelong significant disability in a majority of cases. Children who are younger than 18 years have not been included in therapeutic trials of thrombolytic or neuroprotective agents. We evaluated whether children who receive a diagnosis of stroke meet a major inclusion criterion for such trials, namely time to diagnosis of Methods. Prospective documentation and retrospective chart review was conducted of children who were 0 to 18 years and carried a diagnosis of stroke during the last 2 years in the hospital database, including children who presented with either ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. Results. Forty-seven events were encountered in 41 children. Twelve neonates with stroke, diagnosed in the neonatal period, were excluded from the subsequent analysis. In the remaining 29 children, the mean age at presentation was 8.67 years. Accurate time records were available in 24 children. In this group, 28 events were recorded. Time from clinical onset to first medical contact averaged 28.5 hours, and the time to diagnosis of stroke averaged 35.7 hours. We subsequently separated between children with ischemic (21 documented events) and hemorrhagic strokes (7 documented events), because the presentation and the intervention options are different. Conclusions. Stroke in children is rarely diagnosed in the time frame of 3 to 6 hours. Given the causes and outcome of stroke in children, this age group might benefit from thrombolysis and from neuroprotective therapy, yet the long delay in diagnosis in this age group excludes most cases from being considered for such treatments. This situation should encourage attempts to increase public and professional awareness of stroke in children and of the potential value of early diagnosis and treatment, preferably by broadening current educational efforts to all age groups.
Alterations in ovarian follicular progesterone secretion by elevated exposures to the drinking water disinfection by-product dibromoacetic acid: examination of the potential site(s) of impact along the steroidogenic pathway.

Abstract Previous data from our laboratory indicated that the drinking water disinfection by-product, dibromoacetic acid (DBA), when applied in vitro to rat preovulatory follicles at a concentration consistent with blood levels found to disrupt estrous cyclicity, was able to block the stimulated secretion of progesterone. The present experiments focused on establishing a dose–response for such an effect and identifying the point(s)of impact of this compound along the steroidogenic pathway that underlie this suppression. Immature Sprague–Dawley rats were primed with PMSG on day 26 and killed 48 h later. Preovulatory follicles were removed and paired in culture with or without DBA (2–50 μg/ml) to reassess progesterone secretion under hCG-stimulated or baseline conditions. In addition, media supplemented with pregnenolone or 22( R )-hydroxycholesterol (22 R -HC) were used to determine the effects of 50 μg/ml DBA on the initial steps leading to progesterone synthesis. Samples taken over the course of 24 h reaffirmed a significant DBA-associated suppression in baseline and stimulated progesterone release, while estradiol secretion was unaffected. This effect was mirrored by a reduction in follicular progesterone content in these DBA groups. The addition of pregnenolone eliminated this decrease, with the DBA-exposed follicles exhibiting a linear increase in progesterone release over the sampling period. The follicular progesterone content at 24 h showed that DBA treatment under pregnenolone supplementation caused marked elevations under both the hCG stimulated and non-stimulated conditions, something not reflected in the release data. Substitution of 22 R -HC for pregnenolone eliminated the effect on baseline progesterone release, although the attenuation in stimulated secretion was still present. This suggests both an effect of DBA exposure on mitochondrial cholesterol transport by steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and a possible impact on the receptor or postreceptor events triggered by hCG.
Mechanisms of Arterial Remodeling in Hypertension: Coupled Roles of Wall Shear and Intramural Stress

Diverse data collected over the past 4 decades suggest the existence of a mechanical homeostasis across multiple length and time scales in the vasculature. For example,1 stress fibers within endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells appear to disassemble and then reassemble in a mechanically preferred manner when perturbed from a normal value of mechanical stress or strain; focal adhesions in smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts tend to increase in area in response to local increases in mechanical loading so as to maintain the stress constant at a preferred value; fibroblasts tend to increase the tractions that they exert on the extracellular matrix when external loads are decreased from a preferred value, thus suggesting an attempt to enforce a “tensional homeostasis”; vascular smooth muscle cells tend to relengthen to their normal, preferred values when an arteriole is forced into a vasoconstricted state for an extended period; and arteries tend to decrease in caliber in response to sustained decreases in flow-induced wall shear stress, to increase in thickness in response to sustained increases in pressure-induced circumferential stress, and to lengthen in response to extension-induced increases in axial stress. Although changes in the cytoskeleton and integrins occur within minutes, changes at the cell-cell and cell-matrix levels occur over hours, and those at the vessel level occur over days to weeks or months. Hence, despite marked differences in length scales (dimensions from nanometers to centimeters) and time scales (durations from minutes to months), mechanobiological control mechanisms in the vasculature tend to restore values of stress or strain toward preferred (homeostatic) values in response to diverse perturbations from normal.2–5 Biomechanics and mechanobiology thus play key roles in vascular development, tissue maintenance in maturity, normal adaptations, aging, disease progression, and responses to injury or clinical interventions. A current challenge in hypertension research is to …
Expression of the Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus RNAβ “Triple Gene Block”

Abstract Genomic RNAβ of barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) contains four defined open reading frames (ORFs). These include the coat protein (βa) and a “triple gene block” consisting of the βb, βc, and βd ORFs that overlap one another. Two subgenomic β RNAs (sgRNAβ1 and sgRNAβ2) with sizes of 2.5 and 0.96 kb were identified in BSMV-infected protoplasts, and their transcription initiation sites were mapped to nucleotides 789 and 2327, respectively, of RNAβ by primer extension experiments. In a cell-free wheat germ translation system, genomic RNAβ served as a mRNA only for the 22-kDa coat protein, and sgRNAβ1 directed synthesis of only the 58-kDa βb protein. However, with sgRNAβ2, three proteins with sizes of 14, 17, and 23 kDa were synthesized. Both the 14- and the 23-kDa proteins were recognized by the βd antibodies in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrated that the 14-kDa protein was encoded by the βd ORF and suggested that the 23-kDa protein, designated βd′, is a readthrough product of the amber stop codon of the βd ORF. Mutagenesis of sgRNAβ2 revealed that the 17-kDa protein was a product of the βc ORF. Expression of sgRNAβ1 and sgRNAβ2 was also investigated with the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene in protoplasts coinfected with RNAs α and γ plus chimeric RNAβ derivatives containing the CAT gene in-frame with the βb, βc, βd, or βd′ ORFs. Elimination of the sgRNAβ1 promoter abolished CAT expression from the βb-CAT chimeric RNA, and removal of the sgRNAβ2 promoter prevented CAT expression from the βc-CAT, βd-CAT, and βd′-CAT chimeric RNAs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the BSMV coat protein is the sole translation product of the genomic RNAβ, whereas sgRNAβ1 serves as a messenger for translation of the βb protein, and sgRNAβ2 functions as a messenger for translation of βc and βd and the newly discovered βd′ protein. Additional mutagenesis experiments indicate that βc is translated by a leaky scanning mechanism.
Interactions of liposomes with planar bilayer membranes

The adhesion to horizontal, planar lipid membranes of lipid vesicles containing calcein in the aqueous compartment or fluorescent phospholipids in the membranes has been examined by phase contrast, differential interference contrast and fluorescence microscopy. With water-immersion lenses, it was possible to study the interactions of vesicles with planar bilayers at magnifications up to the useful limit of light microscopy. In the presence of 15 mM calcium chloride, vesicles composed of phosphatidylserine and either phosphatidylethanolamine or soybean lipids adhere to the torus, bilayer and lenses of planar bilayers of the same composition. Lenses of solvent appear, at the site where vesicles attach to decane-based bilayers and lipid fluorophores move from the vesicles to the lenses. Because the calcein contained in such vesicles is not released, we interpret this as indicating fusion of only the outer monolayer (hemifusion) of the vesicles with the decane lenses. In the case of squalene-based black lipid membranes (BLMs), in contrast, vesicles do not nucleate lenses but they apparently do fuse with the torus at the bilayer boundary. Interactions leading to hemifusions between vesicles and planar membranes thus occur predominantly in regions where hydrocarbon solvent is present. Osmotic water flow, induced by addition of urea to the compartment containing vesicles, causes coalescence of lenses in decane-based, BLMs as well as coalescence of the aqueous spaces of the vesicles that have undergone hemifusion with the lenses. We did not observe transfer of the aqueous phase of vesicles to therans side of either decane-or squalene-based planar membranes; however, we cannot rule out the possibility particularly in the latter case, that rupture of the planar membrane may have been an immediate result of vesicle fusion and thus precluded its detection.
Mobility of Small Molecules in Interlayers of Hectorite Gels: ESR Study with an Uncharged Spin Probe

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to measure the rotational mobility of an uncharged nitroxide spin probe (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinyloxy) in hectorite gels of variable water content. Physical adsorption segregated the probe molecules into two populations: probes in the solution or a solution-like phase, and motionally restricted probes in the adsorbed phase. Although the spectra of these two populations were discrete, indicating that exchange between them was slow on the time scale relevant to ESR, their overlap prevented a straightforward determination of mobility of the adsorbed probes. Even though adsorption was weak, effects of the adsorbed population on the spectral lineshape were detectable for suspensions containing as little as 20 grams clay per liter of water. Orientation of the adsorbed probes on the fully hydrated hectorite surfaces was similar to that of a positively charged nitroxide probe, suggesting that steric factors rather than electrostatic forces control short-range organic molecule interaction with the silicate. The possibility of reaching false conclusions about probe mobility and interlamellar water viscosity when using a weakly adsorbing probe is discussed.
Successful repair of a ruptured ventricular septum complicating a recent myocardial infarction

Abstract Rupture of interventricular septum or disruption of the competence of the mitral valve may complicate a myocardial infarction. The patient does not usually survive. A corrective open-heart surgical procedure, although of high risk, may prevent the rapid deterioration of the patient. A description is presented of a 68 year old man who suffered a rupture of the interventricular septum following occlusion of a posterior coronary artery. The details of the differential diagnosis, the cardiac catheterization, and the unusual surgical approach to the intracardiac defect are presented. The patient recovered after successful closure of the defect.
Evaluations and Aggression Directed at a Gay Male Target: The Role of Threat and Antigay Prejudice

This research was designed to understand heterosexual men's interpersonal reactions toward a gay male individual and to examine how threat and pre-existing antigay prejudice impact these encounters. In one experiment, we manipulated the ostensible sexual orientation of an assigned work partner and assessed participants' perceptions of threat indirectly, using a measure of psychological distancing. Results revealed that, regardless of antigay prejudice, participants psychologically distanced more from the gay male than from the heterosexual male. In the second experiment, we manipulated threat and the sexual orientation of the work partner to examine aggressive responding toward the work partner. Participants exposed to a threat to their masculinity behaved more aggressively toward the gay work partner, regardless of their level of antigay prejudice.
Factors influencing the energetics of electron and proton transfers in proteins. What can be learned from calculations

A protein structure should provide the information needed to understand its observed properties. Significant progress has been made in developing accurate calculations of acid/base and oxidation/reduction reactions in proteins. Current methods and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The distribution and calculated ionization states in a survey of proteins is described, showing that a significant minority of acidic and basic residues are buried in the protein and that most of these remain ionized. The electrochemistry of heme and quinones are considered. Proton transfers in bacteriorhodopsin and coupled electron and proton transfers in photosynthetic reaction centers, 5-coordinate heme binding proteins and cytochrome c oxidase are highlighted as systems where calculations have provided insight into the reaction mechanism.
The Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein is a Ribonucleoprotein Containing Both Nuclear Localization and Nuclear Export Signals

Fragile X syndrome is a frequent cause of mental retardation resulting from the absence of FMRP, the protein encoded by the FMR1 gene. FMRP is an RNA-binding protein of unknown function which is associated with ribosomes. To gain insight into FMRP function, we performed immunolocalization analysis of FMRP truncation and fusion constructs which revealed a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the amino terminus of FMRP as well as a nuclear export signal (NES) encoded by exon 14. A 17 amino acid peptide containing the FMRP NES, which closely resembles the NES motifs recently described for HIV-1 Rev and PKI, is sufficient to direct nuclear export of a microinjected protein conjugate. Sucrose gradient analysis shows that FMRP ribosome association is RNA-dependent and FMRP is found in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles following EDTA treatment. These data are consistent with nascent FMRP entering the nucleus to assemble into mRNP particles prior to export back into the cytoplasm and suggests that fragile X syndrome may result from altered translation of transcripts which normally bind to FMRP.
Habitat associations of California ground squirrels and Botta's pocket gophers on levees in California

Vegetation management on levees, especially removal of trees and shrubs, might affect burrowing mammals that are considered threats to levee integrity. We evaluated habitat associations of California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) and Botta's pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) on levees in the Sacramento Valley to assess the effects of levee vegetation management on these species. Using burrows as an indirect measure of mammal presence, we found that the presence of trees had a negative effect on the occurrence and abundance of ground squirrels on levees, and on the location of their burrowing activities on the levee slope, potentially because visual occlusion caused by tall woody vegetation impedes detection of predators. Similarly, trees had a negative effect on the abundance of pocket gophers on levees and on the location of their burrowing activities on the levee slope, probably because of the effect of tree cover on food availability. The conversion of woodland habitats to grasslands on levees most likely will result in increased occurrence, abundance, or both of ground squirrels and pocket gophers, and thereby increase the potential threat that their burrowing activities pose to levee integrity. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Budget-constrained bulk data transfer via internet and shipping networks

Cloud collaborators wish to combine large amounts of data, in the order of TBs, from multiple distributed locations to a single datacenter. Such groups are faced with the challenge of reducing the latency of the transfer, without incurring excessive dollar costs. Our Pandora system is an autonomic system that creates data transfer plans that can satisfy latency and cost needs, by considering transferring the data through both Internet and disk shipments. Solving the planning problem is a critical step towards a truly autonomic bulk data transfer service. In this paper, we develop techniques to create an optimal transfer plan that minimizes transfer latency subject to a budget constraint. To systematically explore the solution space, we develop efficient binary search methods that find the optimal shipment transfer plan. Our experimental evaluation, driven by Internet bandwidth traces and actual shipment costs queried from FedEx web services, shows that these techniques work well on diverse, realistic networks.
Elevatio n of Uterine Angiotensin II Receptors during Early Pregnancy in the Rat

The concentration of uterine receptors for angiotensin II was investigated during pregnancy in the rat by measuring binding of [l25I]angiotensin II to uterine particles at each day of pregnancy. Uterine angiotensin II receptors changed markedly throughout pregnancy, following a biphasic pattern. During the first half of pregnancy, the concentration of receptors rose by 3-fold from day 2 to day 9 and returned by day 12 to values similar to those of nonpregnant control rats. During the second half of pregnancy, uterine angiotensin II receptors remained below control values until 1 day after delivery. This low binding capacity was not due to occupancy of the angiotensin receptors or to enhanced degradation of the labeled ligand. The major changes in angiotensin II receptor concentration took place in the implantation area, with little or no alterations in the adjacent myometrium. When unilateral salpingectomy was performed on day 2 of pregnancy, the concentration of angiotensin II receptors was still increas...
Hinode observations of transverse waves with flows in coronal loops

Aims. We report the first evidence for transverse waves in coronal multithreaded loops with cool plasma ejected from the chromosphere flowing along the threads. These observations are good candidates for coronal seismology. Methods. We analyzed observations made with Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) on board the Hinode satellite in the Ca II H line filter. Results. The oscillations are visible for about 3 periods, with a period lasting about 2 min, with weak damping. We see the oscillations in thin threads (∼0.5 �� ) of cool plasma flowing in the coronal loops with speeds in the range 74−123 km s −1 . Conclusions. Observations indicate that the waves exhibit different properties in the various threads. In some threads, the waves are nearly standing fundamental kink modes with a phase speed of about 1250 km s −1 , whereas the dynamics of other threads is consistent with propagating fast magnetosonic waves. Based on the observed wave and loop properties and the assumed active region loop density in the range (1−5) × 10 9 cm −3 , the estimated energy flux is sufficient to heat the loops to coronal temperatures, and the average magnetic field in the threads is estimated as 20 ± 7G .
Endoscopic variceal sclerosis does not increase the risk of portal venous thrombosis

In this study the risk of thrombosis in the portal venous system was assessed in patients with chronic variceal bleeding undergoing sclerotherapy. Twenty-two patients with cirrhosis were prospectively studied with angiography before initiation of sclerotherapy and at mean (+/- SD) 26 +/- 17-month (range, 8-63 months) follow-up. Sclerotherapy consisted of flexible endoscopy, intravariceal and paravariceal, using sodium morrhuate (1.5%-2%) and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (0.5%-1.5%), to obliteration. The mean number of sessions was 6.5 +/- 2.2 (range, 3-11), with a mean total amount of sclerosant of 62 +/- 25 mL (range, 25-112 mL). No patient developed splenic or portal vein thrombosis as shown by arteriography. The flow patterns of portal perfusion, vessel size, and coronary vein visualization showed no significant change. Only one patient had spontaneous reversal of portal flow. Splenic vein histology, examined in five patients in whom sclerotherapy failed and who required shunt surgery, was not significantly different from that in eight patients who had no prior sclerotherapy. It is concluded that under the conditions of the current study, chronic sclerotherapy did not increase the risk of thrombosis in the portal venous system and did not significantly alter the histology of the portal hypertensive splenic vein.
Modeling Facial Skin Motion Properties in Video and Its Application to Matching Faces across Expressions

In this paper, we propose a method to model the material constants (Young’s modulus) of the skin in subregions of the face from the motion observed in multiple facial expressions and present its relevance to an image analysis task such as face verification. On a public database consisting of 40 subjects undergoing some set of facial motions associated with anger, disgust, fear, happy, sad, and surprise expressions, we present an expression invariant strategy to matching faces using the Young’s modulus of the skin. Results show that it is indeed possible to match faces across expressions using the material properties of their skin.
The structure of the integrin αIIbβ3 transmembrane complex explains integrin transmembrane signalling

Heterodimeric integrin adhesion receptors regulate cell migration, survival and differentiation in metazoa by communicating signals bi‐directionally across the plasma membrane. Protein engineering and mutagenesis studies have suggested that the dissociation of a complex formed by the single‐pass transmembrane (TM) segments of the α and β subunits is central to these signalling events. Here, we report the structure of the integrin αIIbβ3 TM complex, structure‐based site‐directed mutagenesis and lipid embedding estimates to reveal the structural event that underlies the transition from associated to dissociated states, that is, TM signalling. The complex is stabilized by glycine‐packing mediated TM helix crossing within the extracellular membrane leaflet, and by unique hydrophobic and electrostatic bridges in the intracellular leaflet that mediate an unusual, asymmetric association of the 24‐ and 29‐residue αIIb and β3 TM helices. The structurally unique, highly conserved integrin αIIbβ3 TM complex rationalizes bi‐directional signalling and represents the first structure of a heterodimeric TM receptor complex.
Vascular Malformation Overlying the Pulmonary Artery Simulating a Patent Ductus Arteriosus

An arteriovenous fistula with aneurysmal dilatation involving branches of both coronary vessels and the pulmonary artery is discussed. The malformation was limited to the main pulmonary artery and presented a small left-to-right shunt without symptoms. Ligation of the supplying vessels resulted in the disappearance of a murmur typical of a patent ductus arteriosus.
Performance on the PD test battery by relatives of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Objective: To determine whether there is a greater prevalence of asymptomatic first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) performing abnormally on the PD test battery (PD Battery) compared to sex- and age-matched normal control (NC) individuals. The PD Battery incorporates tests of motor function, olfaction, and mood. It has high specificity and sensitivity in distinguishing mildly affected PD patients from NC individuals in previous studies. Methods: This test battery and regression analysis–derived scoring equations were applied to asymptomatic FDR. Results: Twenty-three FDR and 23 NC individuals were tested. Of the FDR, 39% scored in the abnormal range, whereas none of the NC individuals achieved abnormal scores. This difference was significant. Further analysis demonstrated that the two groups differed significantly on a measure of simple reaction time. Conclusions: The proportion of FDR who demonstrated abnormal performance on the PD Battery was greater than NC individuals. Thus, the PD Battery may detect the asymptomatic carrier state or risk for PSP or a subclinical effect of a shared environmental exposure.
Construction of a water-soluble form of penicillin-binding protein 2a from a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolate.

The mecA gene from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 27r, which encodes the membrane-bound penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP 2a), was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. PBP 2a is the major factor that mediates methicillin resistance in staphylococci. The DNA sequence of the mecA gene from strain 27r was greater than 99% identical to the DNA sequence of other S. aureus mecA genes and the mecA gene from Staphylococcus epidermidis. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of PBP 2a from strain 27r revealed a hydrophobic region at the amino terminus that possessed characteristics of an uncleaved signal peptide such as those found in type II integral membrane proteins. Site-specific mutagenesis was used to modify the strain 27r mecA gene to permit removal of the region encoding the putative transmembrane region (amino acids 2 to 22). When it was expressed in E. coli, the modified mecA gene from strain 27r encoded a water-soluble form of PBP 2a that was detectable in the cytoplasm of transformants. The water-soluble form of PBP 2a protein from S. aureus 27r retained the same binding efficiency for beta-lactam antibiotics as the unmodified membrane-bound PBP 2a from S. aureus 27r. Images
Fecal Pellets of American Pikas (Ochotona princeps) Provide a Crude Chronometer for Dating Patch Occupancy

ABSTRACT. American pikas (Ochotona princeps) seem to be especially vulnerable to climate change, with recent extinctions of pika populations being attributed to global warming. Incomplete historical location records are currently used to examine changes in pika distributions. A method of determining recent pika distributions in the absence of historical records is needed. Here I report on changes over time of known-age pika fecal pellets up to 36 years old. Predictable changes in diameter, internal consistency, and color of pellets provide a method to approximate the dates of last occupation in patches where pikas have been extirpated.
Dynamic procurement subject to temporal and capacity constraints

Reverse auctions offer the prospect of more efficiently matching suppliers and producers in the face of changing market conditions. Prior research has ignored the temporal and finite capacity constraints under which reverse auctioneers typically operate. In this paper, we consider the problem faced by a manufacturer that can procure key components from a number of possible suppliers through multi-attribute reverse auctions. Bids submitted by prospective suppliers include a price and a delivery date. The manufacturer has to select a combination of supplier bids that maximize its overall profit, taking into account its own finite capacity and the prices and delivery dates offered by different suppliers for the same components. The manufacturer's profit is determined by the revenue generated by the products it sells, the costs of the components it purchases as well as late delivery penalties it incurs if it fails to deliver products in time to its own customers. We provide a formal model of this important class of problems, discuss its complexity and introduce rules that can be used to efficiently prune the resulting search space. We also introduce a branch and bound algorithm and an efficient heuristic search procedure. Computational results show that our heuristic procedure typically yields solutions that are within 10 percent of the optimum. They also indicate that taking into account finite capacity considerations can significantly improve the manufacturer's bottom line.
Polymerized ionic liquid diblock copolymers: impact of water/ion clustering on ion conductivity.

Herein, we examine the synergistic impact of both ion clustering and block copolymer morphology on ion conductivity in two polymerized ionic liquid (PIL) diblock copolymers with similar chemistries but different side alkyl spacer chain lengths (ethyl versus undecyl). When saturated in liquid water, water/ion clusters were observed only in the PIL block copolymer with longer alkyl side chains (undecyl) as evidenced by both small-angle neutron scattering and intermediate-angle X-ray scattering, i.e., water/ion clusters form within the PIL microdomain under these conditions. The resulting bromide ion conductivity in the undecyl sample was higher than the ethyl sample (14.0 mS cm−1versus 6.1 mS cm−1 at 50 °C in liquid water) even though both samples had the same block copolymer morphology (lamellar) and the undecyl sample had a lower ion exchange capacity (0.9 meq g−1versus 1.4 meq g−1). No water/ion clusters were observed in either sample under high humidity or dry conditions. The resulting ion conductivity in the undecyl sample with lamellar morphology was significantly higher in the liquid water saturated state compared to the high humidity state (14.0 mS cm−1versus 4.2 mS cm−1), whereas there was no difference in ion conductivity in the ethyl sample when comparing these two states. These results show that small chemical changes to ion-containing block copolymers can induce water/ion clusters within block copolymer microdomains and this can subsequently have a significant effect on ion transport.
Prevalence and correlates of stability and change in maternal depression: evidence from the Fragile Families And Child Wellbeing Study.

Children of depressed mothers have impaired cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes from infancy through adulthood, and are especially at risk when maternal depression persists over multiple years. But there are several important limitations to our current descriptive knowledge about maternal depression, especially depression among unmarried mothers. Data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a recent cohort of children born in urban areas to mostly unmarried parents (N = 4,366), was used to examine the prevalence and correlates of maternal depression when children were about 1, 3, 5, and 9 years old. Results show that, at any given survey wave, between 16% and 21% of mothers reported depression. Nearly two-fifths (38%) of mothers reported depression at least once during the eight-year period, and 7% reported persistent depression (depression at three or four of the four survey waves). Employment status, relationship status, and fathers’ depression were among the sociodemographic characteristics most robustly associated with both stability and change in maternal depression. Given the important social consequences of maternal depression, not least of which is impaired wellbeing among children of depressed mothers, prevention and treatment of maternal depression should be an imperative for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers alike.
Histrionic Personality Disorder, Physical Attractiveness, and Social Adjustment

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is the only DSM-IV personality disorder (PD) explicitly linked to a person's physical appearance. This study examined the HPD–attractiveness link in a mixed-sex sample of college students. Consistent with expectations, HPD women were rated higher in attractiveness than women with other PDs or no PD. However, a parallel HPD–attractiveness link was not found in men. Subsequent analyses indicated that, relative to less attractive HPD women, more attractive HPD women (a) had a more varied and supportive social network, (b) exhibited more negative behaviors in important relationships, and (c) showed greater use of immature defenses, and less reliance on image-distorting, self-sacrificing, and mature defenses. Similar attractiveness–defense relationships were found in HPD men, but parallel results did not emerge for men in the other two domains. Implications of these findings are discussed, and suggestions for future studies are offered.
Native Language Identification: a Simple n-gram Based Approach

This paper describes our approaches to Native Language Identification (NLI) for the NLI shared task 2013. NLI as a sub area of author profiling focuses on identifying the first language of an author given a text in his second language. Researchers have reported several sets of features that have achieved relatively good performance in this task. The type of features used in such works are: lexical, syntactic and stylistic features, dependency parsers, psycholinguistic features and grammatical errors. In our approaches, we selected lexical and syntactic features based on n-grams of characters, words, Penn TreeBank (PTB) and Universal Parts Of Speech (POS) tagsets, and perplexity values of character of n-grams to build four different models. We also combine all the four models using an ensemble based approach to get the final result. We evaluated our approach over a set of 11 native languages reaching 75% accuracy.
A drift approximation for parabolic PDEs with oblique boundary data

We consider solutions of a quasi-linear parabolic PDE with zero oblique boundary data in a bounded domain. Our main result states that the solutions can be approximated by solutions of a PDE in the whole space with a penalizing drift term. The convergence is locally uniform and optimal error estimates are obtained.
U.S. Subfederal Climate Initiatives: An Irrational Means to a Rational End?

Recent years have seen a dizzying profusion of policy initiatives from U.S. sub-federal entities designed to reduce their respective emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this article I take up the question of whether or not sub-federal mitigation efforts can be seen as rational with respect to the objective of achieving meaningful mitigation of climate change. Assuming arguendo that a primary or ultimate objective of sub-federal climate mitigation policies is to achieve meaningful mitigation of global climate change, my purpose is to explore the extent to which these efforts can be seen as rational with respect to that objective. Part I of this article sets the contextual and comparative stage with a discussion of key U.S. and global issues and trends relating to climate change and energy. In Part II of this article I introduce a conceptual formulation made by the linguistic philosopher J.L. Austin regarding constative and performative statements. This distinction between constative and performative statements is offered - in a rather modified fashion - as a kind of analytical metastructure by which to organize and understand the types of justifications and rationales offered on behalf of explicit sub-federal climate mitigation efforts. Of course, to explore the rationality of sub-federal climate mitigation efforts, we need to come to some conclusions - however tentative and general - regarding the actual and potential impacts of these efforts. Part III of this article takes up this task by offering a heuristic, quantitative assessment of the magnitude of GHG reductions that can be achieved through current sub-federal initiatives. In Part IV of this article I explore the question of why sub-federal entities are engaging in explicit climate mitigation efforts by focusing, as an initial matter, on the types of purpose-related justifications that have been offered on behalf - or with respect to - such efforts. What claims and rationales are offered in support of these efforts? To what extent, and in what manner, are these justifications explicitly directed at climate change, energy security, economic competitiveness, and so on? Sub-federal actors appear to be doing a great deal to stop a problem that cannot, by their own efforts, be either stopped or even measurably slowed. Their efforts to mitigate climate change seem akin to placing a brightly colored paper hat on the head of a child sitting on the railroad tracks in the hopes that the hat will, somehow, stop the incoming locomotive from harming the child. Would it not be better to try and move the child off the tracks? In this article I conclude that the most rational course of action is to refrain from any efforts to move the hat and its precious wearer off the tracks. And moreover, that a paper hat is actually the best protection available.
Radioactivity of Co 57

${\mathrm{Co}}^{57}$(270-day) has been prepared by the reactions ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, 2n)$ and ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58}(p, 2p)$, separated chemically, and its disintegration studied with a magnetic lens and a scintillation spectrometer. ${\mathrm{Co}}^{57}$ decays by electron capture; an upper limit of 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ positron per disintegration has been set. Positron groups previously assigned to ${\mathrm{Co}}^{57}$ presumably belong to one of the neighboring isotopes of cobalt. Gamma rays of 0.137 and 0.123 Mev have a relative abundance of 7 and 93 percent, and presumably are $E2$ and $M1$ transitions, respectively. A decay scheme is outlined.
Delay PERT

This white paper suggests a PERT simulation method applicable to critical-path project scheduling networks subject to correlated negative-exponential delays. “Delay PERT” starts with a declared schedule, in which each activity has an intended duration and an intended start time. Durations are subject to delays assumed to obey negative-exponential distributions; fixed start times, whose primary purpose is to model exogenous events such as procurements, are similarly subject to negative-exponential delays. Correlations among delays are expressed by partitioning delays into classes, and as each delay is realized in a simulation experiment the expected values are statistically updated for all the unrealized delays of the same class.The need for “delay PERT” arose in beta testing of GITPASE, an interactive project scheduling package. This paper describes the background, shows the need for “delay PERT”, gives rationales for its assumptions and statistical methodology, proposes a data structure, proposes an organization of the simulation experiments, and indicates outputs and how users might utilize them.
The pattern of Dermatobia (Diptera: Cuterebridae) myiasis in cattle in tropical Mexico.

Monthly inspections of cattle in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico, revealed a mean monthly infestation rate of 23% of animals with Dermatobia myiasis. Multiple infestations were common, and over the course of the wet season (June–December), 71% of cattle became infested. No statistically significant difference in infestation rates was found among breeds or animals of different color or of gender. Apparently because of the action of the tail, the hindquarters were significantly less frequently infested.
Surveillance,prevention and control of Tsutsugamushi disease and chigger mite

The main reservoir host of tsutsugamushi disease are rodents(Rattus losea,R.tanezumi,R.novegicus,Niviventer confucianus,Apodemus agrarius,etc).Chigger mite is the only vector.In China,the main vector are Leptotrombidium deliense and L.scutellare.In endemic area,the density of chigger mite and incidence of tsutsugamushi disease are positively correlated,hence,surveillance mite density have important significance to forcast epidemic situation.No vaccine for tsutsugamushi disease are yet available.Prevention and control strategy:environmental management,disinsection,personal protection,deratization.
Evaluation of the role of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in the treatment of uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS)

5590 Background: Although AIs are sometimes used in selected patients with uLMS, there are few data assessing the efficacy of AIs in this setting. Methods: A retrospective electronic medical record...
Beam measurements using visible synchrotron light at NSLS2 storage ring

Visible Synchrotron Light Monitor (SLM) diagnostic beamline has been designed and constructed at NSLS2 storage ring, to characterize the electron beam profile at various machine conditions. Due to the excellent alignment, SLM beamline was able to see the first visible light when beam was circulating the ring for the first turn. The beamline has been commissioned for the past year. Besides a normal CCD camera to monitor the beam profile, streak camera and gated camera are used to measure the longitudinal and transverse profile to understand the beam dynamics. Measurement results from these cameras will be presented in this paper. A time correlated single photon counting system (TCSPC) has also been setup to measure the single bunch purity.