cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transferrin: internal homology in the amino acid sequence

Two regions of the primary structure of human serum transferrin, of 87 and 57 residues, are reported. When these are suitably aligned by placing two gaps, 40 percent of the amino acids in corresponding positions are identical. This indicates that the doubling of an ancestral structural gene occurred during the evolution of the transferrins.
PERSONALITY, DEMOGRAPHICS, AND ACCULTURATION OF VIETNAMESE AND NICARAGUAN REFUGEES TO THE UNITED STATES

Abstract The influx of refugees into the United States in recent years has led to a new interest in acculturation on the part of North American psychologists. Previous research in this area has usually focused on demographic, rather than psychological, variables as predictors of a willingness to acculturate. Using samples of Nicaraguan and Vietnamese refugees, the present study compared personality factors and age, level of education, and time in the U.S. as predictors of acculturation. Although results for the Nicaraguans were mixed, personality factors emerged as being better predictors in the Vietnamese group. This suggests that, in some cases, personality factors may be more basic to the process of acculturation than previously assumed.
Quality control of radiopharmaceuticals. XIV. Sodium 123I-iodide.

Abstract The radionuclidic purity, the radiochemical composition, and a chemical analysis of tellurium and carrier iodine in sodium iodide-123 were determined. The Na123I was obtained from (1) two commercial sources; (2) by cyclotron methods in routine “in house” use; and (3) a promising spallation reaction method. The radiation dose to the patient is discussed in relationship to the quality of the sodium 123I-iodide.
Decision Tree Method for the Classification of Chemical Pollutants: Incorporation of Across-Chemical Variability and Within-Chemical Uncertainty

We have developed a decision tree methodology for the classification of chemicals by estimates of potential human exposure. The steps involved in the construction of a decision tree are as follows. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted by randomly sampling chemical and environmental properties, whose range of values represents the variability of parameters across a defined set of chemicals and environmental conditions. The tree structure is then defined by a series of constraints placed on the various chemical and environmental properties using the Clas sification and Regression Tree Algorithm (CART). Each node of the tree is associated with a human exposure value and is considered a bin, which classifies chemicals whose properties are consistent with those parametric constraints associated with the particular node. In addition to being associated with parametric constraints, each bin or tree node is associated with a human exposure level. In this manner, the tree structure functions as a template from wh...
The Role for Alterations in Neuronal Activity in the Pathogenesis of Polyglutamine Repeat Disorders

Polyglutamine diseases are a class of neurodegenerative diseases that share an expansion of a glutamine-encoding CAG tract in the respective disease genes as a central hallmark. In all of these diseases there is progressive degeneration in a select subset of neurons, and the mechanisms behind this degeneration remain unclear. Emerging evidence from animal models of disease has identified abnormalities in synaptic signaling and intrinsic excitability in affected neurons, which coincide with the onset of symptoms and precede apparent neuropathology. The appearance of these early changes suggests that altered neuronal activity might be an important component of network dysfunction and that these alterations in network physiology could contribute to symptoms of disease. Here we review abnormalities in neuronal function that have been identified in both animal models and patients, and highlight ways in which these changes in neuronal activity may contribute to disease symptoms. We then review the literature supporting an emerging role for abnormalities in neuronal activity as a driver of neurodegeneration. Finally, we identify common themes that emerge from studies of neuronal dysfunction in polyglutamine disease.
Smooth bistable S-systems.

S-systems have been used as models of biochemical systems for over 30 years. One of their hallmarks is that, although they are highly non-linear, their steady states are characterised by linear equations. This allows streamlined analyses of stability, sensitivities and gains as well as objective, mathematically controlled comparisons of similar model designs. Regular S-systems have a unique steady state at which none of the system variables is zero. This makes it difficult to represent switching phenomena, as they occur, for instance, in the expression of genes, cell cycle phenomena and signal transduction. Previously, two strategies were proposed to account for switches. One was based on a technique called recasting, which permits the modelling of any differentiable non-linearities, including bistability, but typically does not allow steady-state analyses based on linear equations. The second strategy formulated the switching system in a piecewise fashion, where each piece consisted of a regular S-system. A representation gleaned from a simplified form of recasting is proposed and it is possible to divide the characterisation of the steady states into two phases, the first of which is linear, whereas the other is non-linear, but easy to execute. The article discusses a representative pathway with two stable states and one unstable state. The pathway model exhibits strong separation between the stable states as well as hysteresis.
Rotational spectrum of the dimethyl ether-acetylene complex : Evidence for an effective C2v geometry

The rotational spectra for five isotopomers of the 1:1 weakly bound complex formed between dimethyl ether (DME) and acetylene (HCCH) have been measured by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The experimental rotational constants, planar moments, and dipole moment components are consistent with a floppy complex possessing an effective C2v structure in which the hydrogen atom of acetylene is hydrogen bonded to the oxygen atom of dimethyl ether with an intermolecular H···O separation of 2.08(3) A. Experimental rotational constants for the normal isotopic species are A = 10382.5(17) MHz, B = 1535.7187(18) MHz, and C = 1328.3990(17) MHz and the dipole moment components are μa = μtotal = 1.91(10) D. Ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level indicate that the energy barrier for motion of the HCCH subunit between the lone pairs of the DME, via a C2v intermediate structure, is very low (∼0.29 kJ mol-1). Inclusion of basis set superposition error and zero point energy corrections to the energies...
A gauge theory of defects in media with microstructure

Abstract The Yang-Mills minimal replacement and minimal coupling constructs for a semisimple Lie group are extended to the non-semisimple internal symmetry group of a medium with microstructure. The microstructure is modeled in the medium by a set of deformable vector fields. The internal symmetry associated with global transformations of the vector fields becomes local through the introduction of compensating gauge potentials (gauge connection) by minimal replacement. Covariant torsion and curvature quantities formed by derivatives of the gauge potentials correspond to defect densities and currents admitted by the vector fields. The local internal symmetry group is finally broken down to its subgroup SO(3) ▶ T(3) allowing thus for the existence of conservation laws of linear and angular momentum.
Interaction of CO2 with a series of detached organic films

Data obtained from gaseous sorption isotherms of CO2 on eight organic films at three temperatures and three pressures were evaluated for evidences of chemisorption and physical adsorption. The rates of sorption, affected by both temperature and pressure, were analyzed by calculating the perameters of the Elovich equation and those of Barrer's solution of Fick's law for diffusion. Through a consideration of the Elovich parameters, the sorption coefficients, the limiting diffusion coefficients, and the activation energies for diffusion it appears that the rate of interaction of CO2 with these organic films is primarily a diffusion-controlled process.
Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by Wnt pathway inhibitor promoter hypermethylation

Nuclear localization of non-phosphorylated, active beta-catenin is a measure of Wnt pathway activation and is associated with adverse outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). While genetic alterations of the Wnt pathway are infrequent in AML, inhibitors of this pathway are silenced by promoter methylation in other malignanices. Leukemia cell lines were examined for Wnt pathway inhibitor methylation and total beta-catenin levels, and had frequent methylation of Wnt inhibitors and upregulated beta-catenin by Western blot and immunofluorescence. One hundred sixty-nine AML samples were examined for methylation of Wnt inhibitor genes. Diagnostic samples from 72 patients with normal cytogenetics who received standard high-dose induction chemotherapy were evaluated for associations between methylation and event-free or overall survival. Extensive methylation of Wnt pathway inhibitor genes was observed in cell lines, and 89% of primary AML samples had at least one methylated gene: DKK1 (16%), DKK3 (8%), RUNX3 (27%), sFRP1 (34%), sFRP2 (66%), sFRP4 (9%), sFRP5 (54%), SOX17 (29%), and WIF1 (32%). In contrast to epithelial tumors, methylation of APC (2%) and RASSF1A (0%) was rare. In patients with AML with normal cytogenetics, sFRP2 and sFRP5 methylation at the time of diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of relapse, and sFRP2 methylation was associated with an increased risk for death. In patients with AML: (a) there is a high frequency of Wnt pathway inhibitor methylation; (b) Wnt pathway inhibitor methylation is distinct from that observed in epithelial malignancies; and (c) methylation of sFRP2 and sFRP5 may predict adverse clinical outcome in patients with normal karyotype AML.
Novel RNA interference-based therapies for sepsis

Introduction: Sepsis is an extremely fast-paced disease, initiated by an infection that can progress to multiple organ dysfunction and death. The complexity associated with sepsis makes the therapies difficult to develop. Moreover, the ‘one-fits-all' kind of therapy is far from being realistic. Areas covered: This review provides a conspectus of the current results of sepsis therapies and their benefits, focusing on the development of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics for targeting immune cells and sepsis pathways. Expert opinion: The question, ‘When will an effective therapy for sepsis be available for patients?' remains unanswered. New RNA interference-mediated therapies are emerging as novel approaches for the treatment of sepsis by downregulating key inflammatory cytokine expression. Strategies that exploit multimodal gene silencing using siRNA and targeted delivery systems are discussed in this review. Some of these strategies have shown positive results in preclinical model of sepsis.
Load Sharing Characteristics in the Stabilized Lumbar Motion Segment: A Finite Element Study

The effects of intervertebral joint stiffness as well as implant stiffness on the load sharing characteristics across the stabilized motion segment were investigated using the finite element technique. Intervertebral joint stiffness variations were modeled by using various Young's modulus (Edisc) values of the ground substance that had replaced the nucleus pulposus. Variations in the implant stiffness were made by simulating the use of three different pedicle screw-plate instrumentation constructs: 1) bilateral fixation using stainless steel (ST) plates; 2) unilateral fixation using one stainless steel plate; and 3) bilateral fixation using Plexiglas (PL) plates. For the case of constant fixation device stiffness, the axial force across the VSP plate changed in a step-wise manner with the changes in the "disc" stiffness. The axial force carried by the plates was about 10% of the applied compression for Edisc≥ 1000 MPa. The plates carried about 40% of the applied compression in the intact and degenerated disc (Edisc= 4.2 and 8.2 MPa) models, as compared to 100% load by the plates for the totally denucleated case. For the case of constant disc stiffness (Edisc= 8.4 MPa), ST and PL plates were predicted to take over 38% and 18% of the applied compression load, respectively, while for the uniaxial fixation this value was 24%. The load borne by the plates decreased with a decrease in the stiffness of the device. Larger average stresses were predicted in all spinal components when a less rigid VSP system was used, although still lower than the intact stress values. By contrast, the stresses in the device components were predicted to decrease by a considerable amount due to the use of PL plates. These results clearly demonstrate that both the spinal segment and fixation devices are important load supporting components. However, further studies are required to determine an optimum range of stiffness of the unstable spine-graft-implant construct for fast and solid fusion to occur.
The development of adult cell form in Pediastrum biradiatum Meyen as revealed by the electron microscope

An electron-microscope study was made of thin sections of cells from several developmental stages involved in the transformation of the motile zoospore into the four-pronged adult cell type during asexual reproduction in Pediastrum biradiatum Meyen. The various stages were obtained by separating swarmers from adult colonies using fine nickel screening and allowing progressively longer periods of zoospore change before fixing in OsO4. Early adult stages were obtained by fixing cultures after approximately 6 hours of swarmer production. Chloroplasts are observed in cells from all developmental stages. No grana, typical of the chloroplasts of higher plants, are discernible, but a lamellar structure is present and the chloroplast is limited by a double membrane. The chloroplasts contain low density starch inclusions and small, dense inclusions, similar in texture and density to large, dense, spherical bodies which occupy a considerable proportion of the cell volume. The significance of the latter bodies is unknown, but reference is made to their possible role in cell-wall formation. Pyrenoid bodies are not present in any recognizable form until the adult cell type is achieved and appear to develop from the chloroplast. The pyrenoid appears homogeneous and is nearly surrounded by starch plates in the mature forms. The cell wall develops from a thin, membranous covering into a thickened structure containing a globular network. The latter is found in the early adult stages. A small amount of endoplasmic reticulum is present and a Golgi apparatus which in some instances resembles the Golgi forms of higher animals and in other cases is similar to the dictyosomes of protozoa and invertebrates. The nucleus, which is often nearly rectangular in profile, is enclosed by a double membrane which in some cases appears to have an intimate association with the Golgi apparatus. The mitochondria are very few in number and possess only a few randomly oriented cristae. Large vacuoles are described which contain secondary double-membrane limited vacuoles in addition to inclusions similar to those found in the cytoplasm.
High Redshift GRBs

The Swift mission has opened a new, high redshift window on the universe. In this review we provide an overview of gamma-ray burst (GRB) science, describe the Swift mission, discuss high-z GRBs and tools for high-z studies, and look forward at future capabilities. A new mission concept - Lobster - is described that would monitor the X-ray sky at order of magnitude higher sensitivity than current missions.
Kaposi's sarcoma

Abstract The skin may be the most commonly affected organ in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. This may be manifested in a number of different ways, ranging from pruritus and generalized xerosis to severe fulminating infections with opportunistic agents. It is incumbent upon all clinicians to be cognizant of this fact, as inspection may lead to early diagnosis of HIV disease and/or early recognition of severe life-threatening illnesses. It has become increasingly recognized that many HIV-related inflammatory dermatoses may be unusual and not correspond precisely to well-described conditions. 1 The clinician must be aware of this, as treatment response may be poor or delayed. Furthermore, patients may be quite symptomatic and suffer worsened quality of life. In this article, two of these conditions will be addressed; specifically, the atopic dermatitis-like and seborrheic dermatitis-like eruptions commonly seen in this patient population.
Projection Structure of P-glycoprotein by Electron Microscopy EVIDENCE FOR A CLOSED CONFORMATION OF THE NUCLEOTIDE BINDING DOMAINS

Next Section Abstract The structure of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) from mouse has been studied by electron microscopy and image analysis. Two-dimensional crystals of Pgp in a lipid bilayer were generated by reconstituting pure, detergent-solubilized protein containing a C-terminal six-histidine tag using the lipid monolayer technique. The crystals belong to plane group P1 with a = b = 104 ± 2 A and γ = 90 ± 4°. The projection structure of Pgp calculated at a resolution of 22 A shows two closely interacting protein domains that can be interpreted as the N- and C-terminal halves of the protein. The projection structure of Pgp is consistent with the recently published x-ray structure of MsbA, a lipid A flippase from Escherichia coli with high sequence homology to Pgp but only when the two MsbA subunits are rotated to bring their nucleotide binding domains together.
Monographic studies in cassia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae). IV. supplementary notes on section apoucouita Bentham

Supplementing the last revision (Irwin & Rogers, 1967) and reflecting ten years productive exploration in Brazil, these notes present a redefinition of the section, keys to all taxa, some of them newly modified in circumscription or rank, full synonymy, statements of range, and descriptions ofC. aspleniifolia (Espirito Santo),C. eitenorum (MaranhAo to Bahia, 2 vars.),C. compitalis (s. Bahia) andC. boyanii (Territorio do Roraima), these raising the census of the section from 13 to 15 species.
A mm-sized implantable device with ultrasonic energy transfer and RF data uplink for high-power applications

A first proof-of-concept mm-sized implant based on ultrasonic power transfer and RF uplink data transmission is presented. The prototype consists of a 1 mm x 1 mm piezoelectric receiver, a 1 mm x 2 mm chip designed in 65 nm CMOS and a 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm off-chip antenna, and operates through 3 cm of chicken meat which emulates human tissue. The implant supports a DC load power of 100 μW allowing for high-power applications. It also transmits consecutive UWB pulse sequences activated by the ultrasonic downlink data path, demonstrating sufficient power for an Mary PPM transmitter in uplink. Index Terms — Implantable biomedical devices, ultrasonic power delivery, mm-sized implants, AC-DC power converters, radio transmitters.
577: Predictors of fetal loss (FL) following chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

(CVS) ANTHONY ODIBO, DAVID STAMILIO, BARBARA OBERLE, JEFFREY DICKE, DIANA GRAY, GEORGE MACONES, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with FL following CVS STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study including all women undergoing chorionic villus sampling at a single center over a 16-year period. Those having amniocentesis or pregnancy termination were excluded from this analysis. FL was defined as any loss prior to 24 weeks. Univariate and Logistic regression analyses were used to compare pregnancies resulting in fetal loss to those without a loss and to adjust for potential confounders between the groups. Forward and backwards stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the final prediction model for FL. The accuracy of the prediction models was compared using the area under the ROC curves. RESULTS: Among 5614 women who underwent CVS over the study period, follow-up outcome was obtained in 5487 (98%). FL occurred in 108/5487 (1.97%). Variables compared included maternal socio-demographic characteristics, indications for CVS, route (transcervical (TC) versus transabdominal (TA)) number of insertions or aspirations on CVS and complications during CVS. The final predictors of FL are shown in the table. The AUC for the final model was 0.57. FL rates did not differ by CVS route (1.9% in TC and 2.6% in TA, p 0.48). CONCLUSION: Significant predictors of fetal loss following CVS include maternal race, multiple aspirations/insertions and excessive bleeding at the time of the procedure. The final prediction model was however only modestly accurate in predicting FL.
A 1.5-V 5 GHz CMOS Down-conversion mixer for wireless LAN Applications

This paper describes a 1.5-V 5 GHz I/Q down conversion mixer in a 0.18-mum CMOS process. The mixer achieves a conversion gain of 12.7 dB within 1-dB compression point (iCP1dB) of -15.83 dBm. It also achieves a double side band (DSB) NF of 13.5 dB. The mixer's IIP3 is -5.94 dBm. The mixer consumes only 5.72 mA of current from a 1.5-V power supply.
Decreased striatal monoaminergic terminals in multiple system atrophy detected with positron emission tomography

We examined the density of striatal presynaptic monoaminergic terminals, using a ligand for the type 2 vesicular monoamine transporter, (+)-[11C]dihydrotetrabenazine, with positron emission tomography in 7 normal control subjects, 8 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients with predominantly parkinsonian features (MSA-P), 8 MSA patients with principally cerebellar dysfunction (MSA-C), and 6 sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy (sOPCA) patients. The findings were correlated with the results of neurological evaluations and magnetic resonance imaging studies. Specific binding was significantly reduced in the putamen of all patient groups in the order MSA-P < MSA-C < sOPCA, compared with controls. Mean blood-to-brain ligand transport (K1) was significantly decreased in the putamen of all patient groups and in the cerebellar hemispheres of MSA-C and sOPCA but not MSA-P groups, compared with controls. Significant negative correlations were found between striatal binding and the intensity of parkinsonian features and between cerebellar K1 and the intensity of cerebellar dysfunction. The results suggest fundamental differences between MSA-P and MSA-C groups reflecting differential severity of degeneration of nigrostriatal and cerebellar systems in these two forms of MSA. The findings also show that some sOPCA patients have subclinical nigrostriatal dysfunction and are at risk of developing MSA with disease progression.
Genetic analysis of the recF pathway to genetic recombination in Escherichia coli k12: Isolation and characterization of mutants

A recombination proficient strain ofEscherichia coli which is recB− recC− sbcB− has been subjected to mutagenesis by nitrosoguanidine. Among the recombination deficient mutants isolated one was sbcB+, three were recA∼ and 11 were mutants in at least four newrec genes: recF, recJ, recK and recL. recF143 and recL152 are cotransducible with ilv but they lie on opposite sides of the ilv operons as determined by F$studies. recF, recL and recK are not involved in the RecBC pathway of recombination since a recB+ recC+ sbcB− strain carrying a mutation in one of these genes is recombination proficient. Hence the hypothesis that a RecF pathway of recombination can operate as a partially independent substitute for the RecBC pathway of recombination is supported. recF− recB+ and recF+ recB− single mutants are sensitive to u.v. irradiation while the recF−recB− double mutant is more sensitive than either single mutant. The sensitivity of the recB− recC− sbcB− recF− strain approaches the sensitivity of a recA− single mutant. This is interpreted to mean that there are partially independent RecF and RecBC pathways for the repair of u.v. damage. recJ and mutations were not mapped precisely; hence the mutant properties they confer can not be stated conclusively.
Ectoparasites of Vertebrates Cohabiting Black-tailed Prairie Dog Towns in Eastern New Mexico

Desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii (Baird)), burrowing owls (Athene cuniculania (Mobina)), and thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tnidecemlineatus (Mitchell)) are normal inhabitants of abandoned and active black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus (Ord)) burrows (Tyler and Buscher, 1975, Proc. Okla. Acad. Sci. 55: 166-168). This paper provides information on prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites from vertebrates, other than prairie dogs, which occupy active prairie dog towns in eastern New Mexico. In addition, parasite overlap, where it may exist with the blacktailed prairie dog (Pfaffenberger et ab., 1984, Proc. Hebminthol. Soc. Wash. 51: In press), is also discussed. Prairie dog town P was located 11.3 km NE of Portales on the Eastern New Mexico University Natural History Preserve. Its phenotype is that of a short grass prairie dominated by blue grama (Bouteloua gnacilis (Humboldt, Bonpband and Kunth)), side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula (Michaux)), purple three-awn (Anistida punpurea Nuttall), and sand dropseed (Sporobolus cry ptandnus (Torrey)) with sand sage (Artemisia filifolia Torrey) as the dominant shrub. Town C, a cow pasture, was dominated by grasses (blue grama and side-oats grama) and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torrey), while town D, a barren cabiche flat, supported a short, sparse stand of belvedere (Kochia scopania (L.)). Towns C
Effect of Phospholipids and Fatty Acid Composition of Oil on Emulsifying Capacity of Soluble Protein of Chicken

Abstract THE amount of fat which can be incorporated into a sausage emulsion without causing it to collapse is of great practical significance to the meat industry. Various poultry meats have properties which make them useful in sausage emulsions (Maurer and Baker, 1966; Hudspeth and May, 1967; and May and Hudspeth, 1966). Since poultry meat is often combined with sausage meats of varying chemical composition, it is of interest to determine the affect of various natural chemicals, which might be in the blended product, on performance of poultry meat emulsifying capacity. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of oils of varying fatty acid composition and of natural phospholipid from chicken meat on the emulsifying capacity of soluble protein from chicken necks. EXPERIMENTAL Salt-soluble protein was extracted from commercially deboned chicken neck tissue using the techniques of Saffle and Galbreath (1964) as modified by Hudspeth and May . . .
Depressive Symptoms in Schizophrenic Outpatients

AbstractPatients with schizophrenia suffer from a variety of depressive symptoms, but the prevalence and significance of these symptoms is not fully understood. Using a self-rated symptom checklist, 140 schizophrenic outpatients and 137 outpatients with affective disorder were compared on the frequency and severity of depressive symptomatology. As expected, patients with major depressive disorder had a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than the schizophrenic patients. However, there was a substantial number of schizophrenic patients who indicated severe distress from a variety of depressive symptoms including neurovegetative type symptoms. Though no actual suicides were reported a rather ominous finding was that 14% of the schizo-phrenicpatients reported having suicidal plans. This article discusses the implications of these findings in terms of diagnostic precision and therapeutic strategies.
In Response to Drs. Patton and Scriven

Empowerment evaluation (EE) is conducted throughout the United States and countries around the world, including Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Finland, Canada, and South Africa. EE scholarship is borne out of practice (and often necessity) by dedicated coaches and critical friends. When advances are made in the development of EE scholarship, there is cause for celebration. When setbacks and mistakes occur, these must be corrected. When misstatements and misunderstandings are disseminated, it is important to set the record straight. In this brief response, I offer my appreciation of the reviewers, address what I believe are misstatements of fact regarding the book, and identify directions for the nature of future dialogue. (A detailed response to their reviews is available at http://homepage.mac.com/ profdavidf/eeresponse.)
Levels of mRNAs encoding synaptic vesicle and synaptic plasma membrane proteins in the temporal cortex of elderly schizophrenic patients.

Background: Electron microscopy and biochemical studies indicate that developmental abnormalities in synaptic organization may be present in brains of schizophrenic patients. This study determined whether these synaptic abnormalities are reflected in differential or uniform alterations in the expression of various synaptic protein genes in the left superior temporal gyrus of schizophrenic patients. Methods: Levels of mRNAs encoding four synaptic vesicle proteins (synaptotagmin I [p65], rab3a, synaptobrevin 1, and synaptobrevin 2) and two synaptic plasma membrane proteins (syntaxin 1A and SNAP-25) were measured postmortem in the left superior temporal gyrus from elderly (58–95 years) schizophrenic patients (n = 14) and age-matched control subjects (n = 9). Results: There were significant negative correlations between age and levels of synaptotagmin I (p65), rab3a, synaptobrevin 1, SNAP-25, and syntaxin 1A mRNAs in schizophrenic patients (−.692 <r < −.517, .003 <p < .030) but not in control subjects. Levels of all six synaptic mRNAs studied were increased in the younger (58–79 years) subgroup of schizophrenic patients compared to control subjects and older (80–95 years) subgroup of schizophrenic patients. Conclusions: That similar abnormalities were found for mRNAs encoding different synaptic vesicle and synaptic plasma membrane proteins suggests that they reflect overall neurodevelopmental abnormalities in synaptic connectivity in the temporal cortex of schizophrenic patients rather than changes in the number of synaptic vesicles per synapse or abnormalities in a specific synaptic function.
Spooks/Postmortem TV

This article explores John Edgar Wideman’s reflections on the ways in which US television and news media reflect the political paranoias and traumatic histories of race in America - reflections that emphasize the spectral and symbolic life of race in public and private monitorings of selfhood and difference. Read in the context of contemporary and retrospective responses to 9/11, Wideman’s discussion is used to examine the place of racial profiling in the television genre of ‘infotainment’, with its heavy reliance on data taken from closed circuit public television systems (CCTV). Looking at the monitoring gaze of CCTV images, the article concludes with a discussion of its mediating role in UK public responses to the murders of two Nigerian boys in London, Damilola Taylor and ‘Adam’.
Analysis of the Roles of FlgP and FlgQ in Flagellar Motility of Campylobacter jejuni

Flagellar motility is an important determinant of Campylobacter jejuni that is required for promoting interactions with various hosts to promote gastroenteritis in humans or commensal colonization of many animals. In a previous study, we identified a nonmotile mutant of C. jejuni 81-176 with a transposon insertion in Cj1026c, but verification of the role of the encoded protein in motility was not determined. In this study, we have determined that Cj1026c and the gene immediately downstream, Cj1025c (here annotated as flgP and flgQ, respectively), are both required for motility of C. jejuni but not for flagellar biosynthesis. FlgP and FlgQ are not components of the transcriptional regulatory cascades to activate σ28- or σ54-dependent expression of flagellar genes. In addition, expression of flgP and flgQ is not largely dependent on σ28 or σ54. Immunblot analyses revealed that the majority of FlgP in C. jejuni is associated with the outer membrane. However, in the absence of FlgQ, the amounts of FlgP in the outer membrane of C. jejuni are greatly reduced, suggesting that FlgQ may be required for localization or stability of FlgP at this location. This study provides insight into features of FlgP and FlgQ, two proteins with previously undefined functions that are required for the larger, multicomponent flagellar system of C. jejuni that is necessary for motility.
Preferential tumor radiosensitization by analogs of nicotinamide and benzamide.

Abstract The effects of a range of different analogs of nicotinamide and benzamide on the X ray response of the EMT-6 tumor in vivo was investigated. Using an in vivolin vitro survival assay, sensitization was seen at a dose of 2 mmole/kg for all but one of the analogs tested. The enhancement ratios (ER's) ranged from 1.0 to 1.5. Of particular interest were nicotinamide and SR-4350 which gave large ER's (1.5 and 1.4 respectively) at doses which were only about 12% of the LD50 values. In one normal tissue studied (skin reaction) a large single dose of nicotinamide (8 mmole/kg) only gave an ER of 1.1. These results will be discussed with reference to the mechanisms involved and the clinical implications.
Backbone dynamics of cyclotide MCoTI-I free and complexed with trypsin.

Cyclotides are a new emerging family of large plant-derived backbone-cyclized polypeptides ( 28–37 amino acids long) that share a disulfide-stabilized core (3 disulfide bonds) characterized by an unusual knotted.[1] Cyclotides contrast with other circular polypeptides in that they have a well-defined three-dimensional structure, and despite their small size, can be considered as micro-proteins. Their unique circular backbone topology and knotted arrangement of three disulfide bonds makes them exceptionally stable to thermal and enzymatic degradation (Scheme 1). Furthermore, their well-defined structures have been associated with wide range of biological functions.[2,3] Cyclotides MCoTI-I/II are powerful trypsin inhibitors (Ki 20 – 30 pM) which have been recently isolated from the dormant seeds of Momordica cochinchinensis, a plant member of cucurbitaceae family.[4] Although MCoTI cyclotides do not share significant sequence homology with other cyclotides beyond the presence of the three cystine bridges, structural analysis by NMR has shown that they adopt a similar backbonecyclic cystine-knot topology.[5,6] MCoTI cyclotides, however, show high sequence homology with related cystine-knot squash trypsin inhibitors,[4] and therefore represent interesting molecular scaffolds for drug design.[7–10] Determination of the backbone dynamics of these fascinating micro-proteins is key for understanding their physical and biological properties. Internal motions of a protein on different time scales, extending from picoseconds to second, have been suggested to play an important role in its biological function.[11] A better understanding of the backbone dynamics of the cyclotide scaffold will be extremely helpful for evaluating its utility as a scaffold for peptide-based drug discovery. Such insight will help in the design of optimal focused libraries than can be used for the discovery of new cyclotides sequences with novel biological activities. [12,13] In the current study we report for the first time the determination of internal dynamics of the cyclotide MCoTI-I in free state and complexed with trypsin. Uniformly 15 N-labeled natively folded cyclotide MCoTI-I was recombinantly produced in E. coli growing in minimal M9 medium containing 15 NH4Cl as only source of nitrogen. Concomitant backbone cyclization
Design, fabrication and vapor characterization of a microfabricated flexural plate resonator sensor and application to integrated sensor arrays

A chemical vapor detection and biosensor array based on microfabricated silicon resonators coated with thin film polymer sorption layers is described. The resonators within the array are micro-electromechanical (MEM) flexural plate wave (FPW) sensors that have been miniaturized to allow many independently addressable sensors to be integrated within a single silicon chip. The target analyte of an individual sensor within the chip is selected by placing a polymer coating onto the resonating membrane. Detection is performed by monitoring changes in the frequency and damping factor of the resonance as the coating interacts with the environment. This work documents vapor response characterization of an individual sensor element within an array and reports on the operation of an eight-element sensor array. Polymer coatings targeted toward detection of chemical weapon agents have been applied to the sensor and chemical vapor exposure tests using two chemical weapon simulants and four vapor phase interferents have been performed. Data describing temperature dependence, long-term/short-term drift stability, detection limits, detection linearity and vapor selectivity will be presented. The use of resonant damping information is shown to provide the ability to discriminate between vapor analytes that produce equal resonant frequency shifts. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Distribution-Driven Visualization of Volume Data

Feature detection and display are the essential goals of the visualization process. Most visualization software achieves these goals by mapping properties of sampled intensity values and their derivatives to color and opacity. In this work, we propose to explicitly study the local frequency distribution of intensity values in broader neighborhoods centered around each voxel. We have found frequency distributions to contain meaningful and quantitative information that is relevant for many kinds of feature queries. Our approach allows users to enter predicate-based hypotheses about relational patterns in local distributions and render visualizations that show how neighborhoods match the predicates. Distributions are a familiar concept to nonexpert users, and we have built a simple graphical user interface for forming and testing queries interactively. The query framework readily applies to arbitrary spatial data sets and supports queries on time variant and multifield data. Users can directly query for classes of features previously inaccessible in general feature detection tools. Using several well-known data sets, we show new quantitative features that enhance our understanding of familiar visualization results.
Mania: a rational neurobiology

A cohesive picture has emerged over the last decade regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar disorder, a serious mental disorder that cycles between mania and depression. Mania is associated with overactive PKC intracellular signaling, and recent genome-wide association studies of bipolar disorder have implicated an enzyme that reduces the activation of PKC. Overactive PKC signaling in the prefrontal cortex may explain many of the symptoms of mania. Functional imaging studies have shown reduced activity in the right prefrontal cortex during the manic state. Dysfunction of the right prefrontal cortex is known to lead to a disinhibited profile, including poor impulse control, risk-taking, distractibility, poor sustained attention and delusions, which resemble the symptoms of mania. Structural imaging studies have further shown a loss of prefrontal volume in untreated patients with bipolar disorder. This loss of function and gray matter in the prefrontal cortex may arise from abnormal signaling...
Flake Morphology, Fluvial Dynamics, and Debitage Transport Potential

Since archaeological sites are often located in or near fluvial environments, a thorough understanding of corresponding formation processes is a critical component of archaeological research. Within this context, we address the following question: how does flake morphology condition transport potential? Specifically, do flakes behave as the idealized spheres often used to characterize geological materials and if so, how might this process modify a debitage assemblage? To address this important issue, we present the results of a fluvial transport experiment designed to evaluate the relationships between flake size, shape, weight, curvature, and transport potential. We begin with an overview of fluvial mechanics and previous archaeological fluvial transport studies and use these studies to design an experiment intended to fill gaps in our knowledge of the relationships between flake morphology and transport potential. Our experimental results suggest that all things being equal, flake weight is the most important variable in both settling velocity and transport distance, although flake shape conditions transport as well. Finally, our study demonstrates the potential structure of fluvially transported assemblages as lag deposits and suggests that fluvially transported assemblages may retain key behavioral information.
Chemical elements in the aragonitic and calcitic microstructural groups of shell of the oyster Crassostrea virginica : A proton probe study

We report the results of a study with proton-induced X-ray emissions (PIXE) of the distribution and concentration of 15 chemical elements (Na to Sr in periodic chart) in four microstructural and two mineralogical regions of shell of rapidly growing adult oysters [Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin)]. Hatchery-raised oysters were grown in Broadkill Estuary, Delaware, USA, for 16 wk in summer 1978. Their valve edges were filed as a marker, and the oysters were replaced in the estuary, where they grew rapidly. Shell deposited after marking had a normal microstructure and mineralogy after a narrow zone of disturbance. After 17 d oysters were sacrificed, and different mineralogical and microstructural regions of valves of three oysters, and parts of valves of two oysters, were analyzed for the elements Na to Sr. Quadrats (2.5 × 0.45 mm) included three calcitic groups (prismatic, foliated, chalky) and one aragonitic (myostracal) microstructural group; four quadrats were on the exterior and five on the interior of right and left valves. Inhalant and exhalant margins of valves and ground right and left valves of one oyster were also analyzed. Elemental chemistry of different regions of shell varied among the three microstructural groups within the single calcitic polymorph, between aragonitic and calcitic regions, and between exhalant and inhalant margins of the valves. Elements were most concentrated in the prismatic region of the right valve. Element concentrations were similar in ground right and left valves, except for higher levels of Si, Fe, and Zn in the right valve (corresponding to their high contents in prismatic shell) and of Cl in the left valve (reflecting high concentration in chalky shell, abundant in this valve). Na, Mg, Cl, Cr, Cu, Zn and Br were more concentrated in prismatic than in foliated shell. Chalky shell contained higher concentrations of Na than did prismatic shell, and high concentrations (but lower than in prismatic shell) of Mg, Cl, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn and Br. Element concentration in myostracum was approximately the same as, or lower than, in foliated shell, except for Sr, which was higher than that in any other shell group. In the right valve most elements were concentrated in inhalant margins, and on the left valve, in exhalant margins. With increased weathering of the exterior surface of prismatic shell, Mg, Si, and Mn increased in concentration and Na, Al, Cl, Ti, Cr, Fe, Br, and Sr decreased.
Plasma Antioxidant Capacity Changes Following a Meal as a Measure of the Ability of a Food to Alter In Vivo Antioxidant Status

Objective: Determine 1) if consumption of a meal of different fruits or berries increases plasma hydrophilic (H-) or lipophilic (L-) antioxidant capacity (AOC) measured as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORACFL); 2) if including macronutrients in the meal alters postprandial changes in AOC; and 3) if preliminary recommendations can be developed for antioxidant intake.Methods: Changes in plasma AOC following consumption of a single meal of berries/fruits (blueberry, dried plum, dried plum juice, grape, cherry, kiwifruit and strawberry) were studied in 5 clinical trials with 6–10 subjects per experiment. In two studies with blueberry or grape, additional macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, protein) were included in the control and treatment meals. Blood samples collected before and after the meal were analyzed for AOC.Results: Consumption of dried plums or dried plum juice did not alter either the H- or L-AOC area under the curve (AUC). Consumption of blueberry in 2 studies and of mixed grape powder [12....
Growth inhibition of Prevotella ruminicola by protamine.

Growth of Prevotella ruminicola strains B14 (subsp. brevis) and D31d (subsp. ruminicola), was inhibited by protamine, a polycationic, low molecular mass protein. Results showed that protamine has a bacteriocidal effect when present in concentrations exceeding 30 μg ml−1. Protamine exerted its toxic effects by disrupting the outer membrane, which was demonstrated by: (i) an increased sensitivity to hydrophobic antibiotics (novobiocin and monensin) and (ii) release of the periplasmic enzyme alkaline phosphatase following short-term exposure to protamine. Although the concentrations of protamine inhibitory to P. ruminicola are relatively low, the effects of such a compound are probably too broad to permit its successful use in terms of manipulating ruminal proteolysis.
Involvement of mast cells in sudden infant death syndrome

The pathogenesis of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is elusive and probably multifactorial. The occurrence of mast cell activation in SIDS was assessed in this study by measuring concentrations of tryptase, a neutral protease produced mainly by mast cells, in postmortem sera from term infants with SIDS and from age-matched control infants who died unexpectedly at home from a known cause. Tryptase levels were significantly higher in the 50 infants with SIDS than in the 15 control infants (p = 0.0004). Forty percent of the infants with SIDS and none of the control infants had a tryptase level greater than 10 ng/ml, the threshold chosen to indicate premortem mast cell activation. An infant with SIDS had a 20-fold higher chance of having an elevated tryptase level compared with a control infant. The postmortem interval did not influence these results. Thus mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis is likely to be the pathogenetic mechanism involved in some but not all SIDS cases. Recognition of this pathway as operative in SIDS should facilitate a more precise identification of the allergens involved, the processes leading to mast cell activation, and procedures to identify those infants at risk for anaphylaxis, and should, in time, lead to better therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing this specific cause of SIDS.
Adapting a Measure of Acculturation for Cross-Cultural Research:

Although Filipino Americans are projected to become the largest Asian American ethnic group in this millennium, no acculturation measure existed for this group. This article describes a systematic and replicable process used in adapting and modifying A Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (ASASH) for use with Filipino Americans. It depicts the multiple and iterative steps of translation and backtranslation to produce A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA) in English and in Tagalog--the Philippine national language. Also, it describes the methods undertaken for the measures to achieve linguistic and cross-cultural validity through content, technical, experiential, semantic, and conceptual equivalence. With the dearth of linguistically and culturally valid measures for immigrant populations, the adaptation of valid measures developed for other cultures remains a viable option.