cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of Rac and Cdc42 Synchronization at the Cell Edge by ARHGAP39-Dependent Signaling and the Impact on Protrusion Dynamics

Compartmentalization of GTPase regulators into signaling nodules dictates specific GTPase signaling pathway selection. Rac and Cdc42 are synchronized at the cell edge for effective protrusion in motile cells, but how their activity is coordinated remains elusive. Here, we report that ARHGAP39, a Rac and Cdc42 GTPase-activating protein, sequentially interacts with WAVE and mDia2 to control lamellipodia and filopodia protrusions, respectively. Mechanistically, ARHGAP39 binds WAVE, whereupon phosphorylation by Src promotes Rac inactivation and leads to Cdc42-induced filopodia formation. Using an optimized FRET biosensor, we detected active Cdc42 at the filopodia tips that controls filopodia extension. ARHGAP39 is transported to filopodia tips by Myosin-X where it binds mDia2 and inactivates Cdc42, leading to filopodia retraction. Failure in lamellipodia-to-filopodia switch by defective ARHGAP39 impairs cell invasion and metastasis. Our study reveals that compartmentalization of ARHGAP39 within Rac/Cdc42 signaling nodules orchestrates the synchronization of lamellipodia and filopodia and highlights the intricate regulation of leading edge dynamics in migrating cells.
Expansion of Nonlinear System Response Using Linear Transformation Matrices from Reduced Component Model Representations

Finite element models of structural systems have become increasingly complicated as they are used for many types of applications. Because a highly detailed model is not required for every purpose, much work has been presented in generating reduced-order models (ROMs) that accurately reflect the dynamic characteristics of the system. Recent work has shown that these ROMs can be used to compute both the linear and nonlinear dynamic response of the structure at the reduced space without loss of accuracy due to the reduction procedures.
Exploring Competencies for Manufacturing Education Partnership Centers

T he National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership works with U.S. manufacturers to help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save time and money. Members of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership recognized the need to expand capacity and capabilities of their network to address the mounting challenges facing manufacturers. To this end, the organization adopted a new strategic vision in which Manufacturing Extension Partnership field consultants develop long-term relationships with client manufacturers while providing performance solutions focused on five areas: continuous improvement, technology acceleration, supply chain, sustainability, and the workforce. A project was funded to educate Manufacturing Extension Partnership field consultants to embrace a holistic and integrated approach in their work, and ultimately help implement the new vision. One step in facilitating this change was to identify the gap between existing and desired competencies for Manufacturing Extension Partnership field consultants. To meet this need, a research team was guided by the following questions: 1. What does the literature say are important skills and knowledge for the types of work done by Manufacturing Extension Partnership field consultants?
Work in progress: using project documentation to teach creative design

Project documentation can play an integral role in design by helping the students plan, theorize, analyze, and interpret their work; the need to communicate about their work pushes students to fully formulate project plans, understand the theories behind their work, and analyze their results more completely than they might otherwise. This project evaluates strategies for more fully integrating communication and design through studies in two senior-level design courses. Preliminary results show that while students can effectively use of writing and speaking assignments to further their projects, they need appropriate scaffolding to facilitate that process.
Laser cooling and trapping of rubidium

We have laser cooled an atomic beam of rubidium with diode lasers and have used these slow atoms to load a magneto-optical trap. The cooling is performed with the frequency-chirp method,1,2 in which the laser's frequency is ramped linearly (by the injection currant) to maintain resonance with the decelerating atoms. Two synchronously chirped lasers are required to prevent optical hyperfine pumping of the ground state. The chirp typically covers 500 MHz in 10 ms. At the end of each ramp, the resulting velocity distribution is measured with a pulsed probe laser. By varying the end point of the chirp, we are able to obtain slow atoms with average velocities ranging from 200 to −50 m/s. The widths of the velocity distributions are measured to be approximately 40 m/s. This relatively large width results from the inherent linewidth (~30 MHz) of the free-running diode lasers used for both cooling and probing.
Self-catalyzed destruction of insect cytochrome P-450

Abstract Incubation of housefly microsomes with 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) resulted in a considerable loss of cytochrome P-450 as measured by its dithionite-reduced CO-difference spectrum. This cytochrome P-450 loss was strictly dependent on NADPH, and was dependent also on both incubation time and ABT concentration. An abnormal porphyrin was isolated from housefly microsomes incubated with ABT and NADPH. Its electronic absorption spectrum was identical to that of an authentic NN- aryl - bridged protoporphyrin IX, a result which suggests that cytochrome P-450 loss was due to self-catalyzed covalent modification of the prosthetic haem group. A cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase activity, aldrin epoxidation, was inactivated by ABT in vitro according to pseudo-first order kinetics typical of suicide substrates. ABT had no detectable toxicity in vivo, but synergized the toxicity of a carbamate insecticide to houseflies. 2-Iso propyl -4- pentenamide , ethynylcyclohexanol, and substituted phenyl propynyl ethers (the latter are known insecticide synergists) cause similar in vitro loss of cytochrome P-450 . The amounts of cytochrome P-450 destroyed by these compounds depend on the strain of houseflies (insecticide-resistant or susceptible) and on whether the insects are pretreated with phenobarbital. Cytochrome P-450 induced by phenobarbital in resistant flies appeared to be the most sensitive to these suicide substrates. This suggests that self-catalyzed destruction of cytochrome P-450 is isozyme-selective in the house fly.
Validation of a generic approach to muscle water T2 determination at 3T in fat‐infiltrated skeletal muscle

Purpose To introduce a novel method for skeletal muscle water T2 determination in fat-infiltrated tissues, using a tri-exponential fit of the global muscle signal decay. Materials and Methods In all, 48 patients with various neuromuscular diseases were retrospectively selected and their thigh muscles analyzed. Each patient was imaged using a multispin-echo (MSME) sequence with a 17-echo train. The transmit field (B1+) inhomogeneities were evaluated using the actual flip angle imaging method toward voxel sorting. Muscle water T2 was quantified using a tri-exponential signal decay model. The difference between water T2 of voxels within the same muscle but having different fat ratio was analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. In addition, we evaluated the correlation between fat ratio and T2 values obtained using both a mono- and tri-exponential approach. Results The results showed that muscle water T2 values obtained using a tri-exponential approach combined with B1+ map-based voxel sorting were independent of the fat infiltration degree inside the muscle (R2 0.67; P < 10e−4). Conclusion The tri-exponential model is an accurate tool to monitor muscle tissue disease activity devoid of bias introduced by fat infiltration. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:645–653. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cross-Entropy Randomized Motion Planning

Abstract—This paper is concerned with motion planning for nonlinear robotic systems operating in constrained environments. Motivated by recent developments in sampling-based motion planning and Monte Carlo optimization we propose a general randomized path planning method based on sampling in the space of trajectories. The idea is to construct a probability distribution over the set of feasible paths and to perform the search for an optimal trajectory through importance sampling. At the core of the approach lies the cross-entropy method for estimation of rare-event probabilities. The algorithm recursively approximates the optimal sampling distribution which guides the set of sampled trajectories towards regions of progressively lower cost until converging to a delta distribution at the optimum. Our main goal is to provide a framework for consistent adaptive sampling correlating the spatial structure of trajectories and their computed costs. The approach is illustrated with two simple examples–a point mass vehicle and the Dubins car, and is then applied to a simulated helicopter flying optimally in a 3-D terrain.
EUS-guided liver biopsy provides diagnostic samples comparable with those via the percutaneous or transjugular route

Background and Aims Liver biopsy (LB) traditionally has been performed via a percutaneous (PC), transjugular (TJ), or surgical approach. EUS-guided LB (EUS-LB) is an emerging method that has shown promise in terms of tissue yield and procedural safety. Comparison of histologic yield of EUS-LB with other methods of LB has not been done. This study aimed to compare tissue yield of different LB methods. Methods EUS-LB, TJ-LB, and PC-LB were identified retrospectively. EUS-LB was obtained via transgastric and transduodenal biopsy, or via transgastric (left lobe) biopsy alone using a 19-gauge FNA needle (non-Trucut). TJ-LB specimens were obtained with an 18- or 19-gauge needle, and PC–LB specimens with an 18- or 20-gauge needle. Stained slides were digitized on a whole slide scanner, and the total specimen length (TSL) and the count of complete portal triads (CPTs) were determined. Comparisons of TSL and CPT among the 3 groups were done with Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results Wilcoxon rank sum tests indicated that EUS-LB of both liver regions produced significantly more tissue in terms of both TSL and CPTs compared with a PC-LB ( P = .0000 and .0006). EUS-LB produced significantly longer TSL than TJ-LB ( P = .01) and similar CPTs ( P = .22). Those EUS-LB cases in which the left lobe only was sampled were not statistically different compared with PC-LB and TJ-LB. Conclusion EUS-guided-LB produces specimens at least comparable to, and in some cases better than, PC-LB or TJ-LB. Widely separated liver regions can be easily sampled, which may have some benefit. The role of EUS-LB is likely to increase in the future.
The cancer experience : Responses of patients receiving outpatient radiotherapy

Abstract This study investigated the meaning of the cancer experience for 44 individuals receiving outpatient radiotherapy. In interviews conducted immediately before treatment was initiated and after its completion, patients were asked to describe what having cancer had been like for them. Their responses were read and coded as “Accepting,” “Coping,” or “Experiencing emotional trauma.” Whereas 26 patients were categorized as “Accepting” or “Coping” at the initial interview, 25 were placed in the “Experiencing emotional trauma” category after treatment was completed. The authors concluded that nurses and other health care professionals need to recognize the emotional as well as physical ramifications of the treatment experience and help patients cope with these Stressors.
Explaining a Health Care Paradox

The paradox of a statistically weak linkage between physician density and measures of health based on outcome has recently received much attention because of its importance to health planning policy. It is demonstrated here that the linkage is stronger than indicated by previous studies if the statistical model is more carefully specified. A single case-type is chosen so that the impact of physician services is not filtered out by the aggregation process and a quantitative variable measuring case severity is derived. When statistical techniques are applied to correct for case-risk and for the inherent heteroscedasticity in observed mortality rates across states and time, the positive effect of physician density on health is shown to be statistically highly significant. Thus the apparently paradoxical findings in previous studies may be a result of failing to correct not only for differences in case severity but also for variations in sample errors. Also, even though the magnitude of physician impact is small compared to non-medical variables, an exploratory estimate of the impact of government programs focused on prevention suggests that present allocations between prevention and treatment may approximate optimality.
Human plasma high-density lipoproteins are stabilized by kinetic factors.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are heterogeneous complexes of proteins and lipids that mediate cholesterol removal from the body. Our thermal and chemical denaturation studies of mature spherical HDL isolated from human plasma show that, contrary to the widely held assumption, the particle stability has a kinetic rather than thermodynamic origin. Guanidinum hydrochloride (GdmHCl) concentration jumps at 25 degrees C monitored by circular dichroism (CD) at 222 nm reveal two dominant irreversible kinetic phases in HDL denaturation. The slower phase (relaxation time tau(1) approximately 2 x 10(4) seconds) is observed in 1-6 M GdmHCl, and the faster phase (tau(2) approximately 2 x 10(3) seconds) is detected in 3-6 M GdmHCl. Comparison of the free energy barriers associated with these phases, deltaG* = 16-17 kcal mol(-1), with the near-zero apparent thermodynamic stability inferred from the spectroscopic measurements after prolonged incubation in 0-6 M GdmHCl at 22 degrees C indicates the kinetic origin for HDL stabilization. Electron microscopic analysis of HDL incubated in 0-6 M GdmHCl suggests that the slower kinetic phase involves HDL fusion, while the faster phase involves particle rupture and release of the apolar lipid core. Thermal denaturation experiments indicate high enthalpic barriers for the particle rupture that may arise from the transient disruption of lipid and/or protein packing interactions. These results corroborate our earlier analysis of model discoidal HDL and indicate that a kinetic mechanism provides a universal natural strategy for lipoprotein stabilization. Such a mechanism may facilitate structural integrity of the heterogeneous lipoprotein particles, slow their spontaneous interconversions, and thereby modulate lipoprotein lifetime and functions.
A combined scoring method to assess behavioral recovery after mouse spinal cord injury

Although the rat has been the predominant rodent used to investigate the pathophysiology and treatment of experimental spinal cord injury (SCI), the increasing availability of transgenic animals has led to greater use of mouse models. However, behavioral assessment after SCI in mice has been less extensively investigated than in rats and few studies have critically examined the correlation between behavioral tests and injury severity or tissue damage. The present study characterized hindlimb functional performance in C57Bl/6 mice after contusion SCI at T9 using the weight drop method. A number of behavioral tests were examined with regard to variability, inter-rater reliability, and correlation to injury severity and white matter sparing. Mice were subjected to sham, mild-moderate or moderate-severe SCI and evaluated at day 1 and weekly up to 42 days using the Basso mouse scale (BMS), ladder climb, grid walk, inclined plane, plantar test and tail flick tests. The ladder climb and grid walk tests proved sub-optimal for use in mice, but modifications enhanced their predictive value with regard to injury severity. The inclined plane, plantar test and tail flick test showed far too much variability to have meaningful predictive value. The BMS score proved reliable, as previously reported, but a combined score (BLG) using BMS, Ladder climb (modified), and Grip walk (modified grid walk) provided better separation across injury levels and less variability than the individual tests. These data provide support for use of a combined scoring method to follow motor recovery in mice after contusion SCI.
Control of thirst and salt appetite in rats: Early inhibition of water and NaCl ingestion

Most previous studies on the controls of thirst and salt appetite in rats have focused on systemic factors. Our recent experiments suggest that presystemic factors also are likely to play an important role. For example, dehydrated rats were found to consume similar volumes in an initial drinking bout when given access either to water or 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, or 0.20 M NaCl solution. Thus, cessation of the bouts evidently was not related to the concentration of fluid consumed but to its volume. It occurred despite the continued presence of known systemic stimuli for thirst (i.e. either increased plasma osmolality or decreased plasma volume), and therefore it resulted from inhibition rather than satiation. This inhibition appeared to derive from signals related to the cumulative volume of ingested fluid in the stomach and small intestine. Similar findings were obtained in studies of NaCl solution intake by NaCl-deprived adrenalectomized rats. These and other observations suggest that gastrointestinal fill generates stimuli that inhibit drinking in rats regardless of whether thirst or salt appetite motivates fluid consumption and regardless of whether rats consume water or NaCl solution.
Recasting nonlinear models as S-systems

An enormous variety of nonlinear differential equations and functions can be recast exactly in the form of an S-system. This is a set of first-order ordinary differential equations that each have the same structure: the change in a variable is equal to a difference of products of power-law functions. Recasting in this canonical S-system form suggests a general approach to classifying and analyzing differential equations and functions which via recasting all become special cases of S-systems. Recasting also offers a variety of practical advantages; examples are: (i) In S-system form, sets of differential equations can usually be solved and analyzed faster than in their original formulation; (ii) The optimization of a functional form reduces to a parameter estimation process; (iii) Other models can be recast and then used as submodels in a pure S-system master model for which a rich repertoire of methods of analysis is available.
Ipsilateral subcortical atrophy associated with temporal lobectomy

Abstract Stereologic methods for determining the volume of cerebral structures in vivo via magnetic resonance imaging have identified unilateral hippocampal atrophy among patients with complex partial epilepsy of temporal lobe origin. Metabolic imaging has also identified altered metabolism in temporal as well as extratemporal regions among these patients. As the temporal cortex and subcortical nuclei of the limbic system are reciprocally connected with striatal projection fields, we examined the putamen nuclei for evidence of associated extratemporal volume asymmetry in patients before and after temporal lobectomy. There was no evidence of preoperative putamen volume asymmetry, but a significant post-operative decrement in ipsilateral putamen volume was observed. The magnitude of postsurgical putamen volume asymmetry was correlated with the duration of time since resection. Progressive degeneration of extratemporal projections of the temporal lobe may occur in association with temporal lobectomy.
Why Criminal Law: A Question of Content?

I take it as obvious that attempts to justify the criminal law must be sensitive to matters of criminalization—to what conduct is proscribed or permitted. I discuss three additional matters that should be addressed in order to justify the criminal law. First, we must have a rough idea of what degree of deviation is tolerable between the set of criminal laws we ought to have and the set we really have. Second, we need information about how the criminal law at any given time and place is administered, since the law in action is bound to differ radically from the law on the books. Finally, we must have some basis for speculating what life would be like in the absence of a system of criminal justice—if the state ceased to impose punishments.
Clinical Profile of Obstetric Patients Admitted to the Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) of an Inner-City Hospital in New York

Background: Pregnancy is associated with physiological and anatomical changes that usually occur uneventfully in majority of women. However, these changes can cause major maternal morbidity with potential catastrophic consequences. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of obstetric patients admitted to the MSICU of an inner-city hospital in New York. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted among all the obstetric patients admitted to the MSICU between June 1, 2009 and June 30, 2012. Results: A total of 19 obstetric patients were admitted to the MSICU between June 1, 2009 and June 30, 2012. The most common comorbidity on admission was hypertensive disorder. Hemodynamic unstability and shock was the most common admission diagnosis. The mean length of stay was 3.5 days. One patient died. Conclusion: Obstetric hemorrhage and pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders remains as the most common entities requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission among obstetric patients. A multidisciplinary team involvement is essential in the management of these patients. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1079w
Psychiatric diagnoses in minority female adolescent suicide attempters.

Abstract Psychiatric diagnoses were examined using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children semistructured interview among three groups of minority adolescent females aged 12 to 17: 61 suicide attempters, 31 psychiatrically disturbed nonattempters, and 23 nonattempting, nondisturbed girls. Major or minor depressive disorder was found in 42% of the suicide attempters; conduct disorder in 46%; multiple diagnoses in 38%, no diagnosis in 13%. These rates were very similar to those found in disturbed nonattempters. Only one symptom, suicidal ideation, distinguished attempters from disturbed nonattempters, while many symptoms distinguished these two groups from nondisturbed nonattempters.
Efavirenz Binding to HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Monomers and Dimers

Efavirenz (EFV) is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) used for the treatment of AIDS. RT is a heterodimer composed of p66 and p51 subunits; p51 is produced from p66 by C-terminal truncation by HIV protease. The monomers can form p66/p66 and p51/p51 homodimers as well as the p66/p51 heterodimer. Dimerization and efavirenz binding are coupled processes. In the crystal structure of the p66/p51-EFV complex, the drug is bound to the p66 subunit. The binding of efavirenz to wild-type and dimerization-defective RT proteins was studied by equilibrium dialysis, tryptophan fluorescence, and native gel electrophoresis. A 1:1 binding stoichiometry was determined for both monomers and homodimers. Equilibrium dissociation constants are approximately 2.5 microM for both p66- and p51-EFV complexes, 250 nM for the p66/p66-EFV complex, and 7 nM for the p51/p51-EFV complex. An equilibrium dissociation constant of 92 nM for the p66/p51-EFV complex was calculated from the thermodynamic linkage between dimerization and inhibitor binding. Binding and unbinding kinetics monitored by fluorescence were slow. Progress curve analyses revealed a one-step, direct binding mechanism with association rate constants k(1) of approximately 13.5 M(-1) s(-1) for monomers and heterodimer and dissociation rate constants k(-1) of approximately 9 x 10(-5) s(-1) for monomers. A conformational selection mechanism is proposed to account for the slow association rate. These results show that efavirenz is a slow, tight-binding inhibitor capable of binding all forms of RT and suggest that the NNRTI binding site in monomers and dimers is similar.
AUTOTROPHIC AND HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITIONAL BUDGET OF SALT MARSH EPIPHYTIC ALGAE1

This paper addresses the nutrition and relative importance of primary production to heterotrophy of select unicellular green algae and diatoms from the same assemblage. Algal growth responses to nutrient additions varied widely. Such responses included: inhibition and enhancement of growth by amino acid additions: nonstimulation or inhibition by most sugars at 10 mM concentration; glucose stimulation of 6 and inhibition of 3 species; fructose inhibition of 6- and 3-fold stimulation of one species; stimulation of most species by a vitamin mixture, some natural products, metabolite mixtures, etc. Photoassimilation of glucose and acetate in 8 of 12 species occurred. Nine of 12 species took up only a fraction of the total carbon fixed as organic substrate. Enhancement of photosynthesis by glucose and inhibition by acetate was common. The data suggest that attached littoral and shoal marine algal assemblages may play mixed trophic roles at lower levels of the detrital food web.
Modeling and analysis of biomass production systems.

Abstract BIOMET is an interactive simulation model that is used to analyze specific biomass and methane production systems. The system model is composed of crop growth models, harvesting, transportation, conversion and economic submodels. By use of menus the users can configure the structure and set selected parameters of the system to analyze the effects of variables within the component models. For example, simulations of a water hyacinth system resulted in yields of 63, 48 and 37 Mg ha −1 year −1 for different harvest schedules. For Napiergrass, unit methane costs were $3·04, $2·86 and $2·98 for various yields of biomass.
Linguistic Deficits in Children With Reading Disabilities

Although recent research into the nature of linguistic abilities and disabilities in children with developmental reading disorders points to phonological processing difficulties as the core deficit...
In vitro antiproliferative activity of 2'-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-thiazoline-4'-carboxylic acid and its methyl ester on L1210 and P388 murine neoplasms

The activity of three iron chelators, methyl [2'-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-thiazoline-4'-carboxylate] (MTL); 2'-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-thiazoline-4'-carboxylic acid (TFAL); and 2-hydroxyphenyl-imido-ethyl-ether (Imidate), regarding antiproliferative, cytocidal, and cell-cycle effects are reported and compared with hydroxyurea (HU). In vitro, against L1210 and P388 murine neoplasms, MTL and TFAL displayed substantially greater antiproliferative activity than HU, although Imidate displayed no appreciable activity. MTL also induced a statistically more complete G1/S cell-boundary block than did HU at equimolar concentrations (100 microM). The IC50 values produced by MTL and TFAL were low enough (less than or equal to 20 microM) to warrant further testing of these chelators as potential antineoplastic agents.
Survey of Actual and Preferred Use of Cooperative Learning Among Exemplar Teachers

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported relative use of cooperative learning among exemplar teachers. Comparisons were made of teacher-reported actual versus preferred use of cooperative learning, along with actual and preferred use on each of the 4 elements of cooperative learning delineated by D. Johnson, R. Johnson, E. Holubec, and P. Roy (1984). Several teacher characteristics also were examined to determine whether individual characteristics were associated with relative use. Survey results indicated a significant disparity between overall reported actual and preferred use, as well as a significant discrepancy between actual and preferred use on each of the 4 elements of cooperative learning. Of the 6 teacher characteristics examined, only participation in staff development for cooperative learning was associated with relative use. Follow-up analyses indicated that staff development was related to greater relative use only for the element of individual accountability.
The β3 tubulin gene is a direct target of bagpipe and biniou in the visceral mesoderm of Drosophila

Abstract Previous studies have identified the NK homeobox gene bagpipe and the FoxF fork head domain gene biniou as essential regulators of visceral mesoderm development in Drosophila. Here we present additional genetic and molecular information on the functions of these two genes during visceral mesoderm morphogenesis and differentiation. We show that both genes are required for the activation of β3Tub60D in the visceral mesoderm, which encodes β3 tubulin. We demonstrate that a 254 bp derivative of a previously defined visceral mesoderm-specific enhancer element, vm1, from β3Tub60D contains one specific in vitro binding site for Bagpipe and two such sites for Biniou. While the wild-type version of the 254 bp enhancer is able to drive significant levels of reporter gene expression within the entire trunk visceral mesoderm, mutation of either the Bagpipe or the Biniou binding sites within this element results in a severe decrease of enhancer activity. Moreover, mutation of all three binding sites for Bagpipe and Biniou, respectively, results in the complete loss of enhancer activity. Together, these observations suggest that Bagpipe and Biniou serve as direct, partially redundant, and tissue-specific activators of the terminal differentiation gene β3Tub60D in the visceral mesoderm.
The Relationship Between the Hypnotic Induction Profile and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C: Revisited

Hilgard's comment raises some important issues, although many of these have little to do with the primary purpose of the study under discussion. This purpose was to objectively examine the relationship between three conceptually and operationally different procedures for measuring hypnotic responsivity. Hilgard's concern over the magnitude of the correlation between the HIP and SHSS:C is unfounded. A cross-validated correlation of .66 was found between the HIP and SHSS:C in a new sample of 44 student volunteers. This demonstrates that the HIP correlates about the same with SHSS:C as the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility. Hilgard's conception of the Eye-Roll (ER) hypothesis is clarified. Evidence which utilizes all cases in the correlational analysis is presented in support of the ER hypothesis. Happily, we all agree on a new methodology which will be definitive in testing the validity of the ER hypothesis.
Gene Order Is Conserved within the Human Chromosome 21 Linkage Group on Mouse Chromosome 10

One hundred progeny from each of two intersubspecific mouse backcrosses were used to construct a comparative genetic map of a region of mouse chromosome 10 (MMU10) that is homologous to the distal tip of the long arm of human chromosome 21 (HSA21). The analysis included five genes and three simple sequence repeat markers, two of which flanked the HSA21-homologous cluster on either side. Analysis of 200 backcross progeny detected at least one crossover between each pair of adjacent genes and demonstrated that the proximal to distal orientation of the cluster was reversed between human and mouse. The order was determined to be Fyn-1-D10Mit20-S100b-Col6a1-Itgb2-Pfkl+ ++/D10Mit7-D10Mit11. Comparative mapping supports the order of corresponding markers on HSA21 determined using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and radiation hybrid line data. However, sequence tagged site content mapping of human yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) yielded conflicting data on the relative positions of human COL6A1 and S100B on HSA21. This discrepancy was resolved here by demonstrating that several key YACs used in the human contig analysis were mistyped for S100B. The murine map reported here provides a scaffold for construction of physical maps and yeast artificial chromosome contigs that will be useful in the development of mouse models for the study of Down syndrome.
Identification of Ten Anabaena sp. Genes That under Aerobic Conditions Are Required for Growth on Dinitrogen but Not for Growth on Fixed Nitrogen

Heterocysts are specialized cells required for aerobic fixation of dinitrogen by certain filamentous cyanobacteria. Numerous genes involved in the differentiation and function of heterocysts in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 have been identified by mutagenizing and screening for mutants that require fixed nitrogen for growth in the presence of oxygen. We have verified that 10 Anabaena sp. genes, all1338, all1591, alr1728, all3278, all3520, all3582, all3850, all4019, alr4311, and all4388, identified initially by transposon mutagenesis, are such genes by complementing or reconstructing the original mutation and by determining whether the mutant phenotype might be due to a polar effect of the transposon. Elucidation of the roles of these genes should enhance understanding of heterocyst biology.
HIGHLY ELECTRON DEFICIENT GROUP 3 ORGANOMETALLIC COMPLEXES BASED ON THE 1,4,7-TRIMETHYL-1,4,7-TRIAZACYCLONONANE LIGAND SYSTEM

Abstract Reaction of the neutral ligand 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Cn) with MCl3(THF)3 (M = Sc, Y) in acetonitrile affords the novel trihalide complexes CnMCl3. The crystal structure of CnScCl3 has been determined: (CH3)3N3(C2H4)3ScCl3; monoclinic, a = 12.477(3), b = 7.462(2), c = 15.984 A , β = 90.45(3)°; P21/c, Z = 4. Subsequent alkylation with LiCH3 in THF gives the corresponding trimethyl species CnM(CH3)3 clearly. Reactivity studies reveal that the metal carbon bonds of these highly coordinatively unsaturated 12e−, d0 complexes are remarkably unreactive toward insertion chemistry with typical unsaturated substrates such as alkenes and alkynes. 2-Butyne does, however, react with CnY(CH3)3 by CH activation to give a compound that is characterized as a major allenyl isomer, Cn(CH3)2Y(η1-C(CH3)CCH2), in equilibrium with a minor propargyl isomer, Cn(CH3)2Y(η1-CH2CC(CH3)). In general, CnSc(CH3)3 is observed to be significantly more stable, and also less reactive, than CnY(CH3)3. CnSc(CH3)3 can, however, be activated by reaction with either B(C6F5)3 or [H(CH3)2NPh]+[B(C6F5)4]− to give complexes which olefin polymerization chemistry.
Theoretical prediction of the pressure gradients in coextrusion of non‐newtonian fluids

In previous publications we have reported our experimental observations that, when the less viscous component flows outside the more viscous component in sheath-core coextrusion through a cylindrical die, or in sandwich three layer film coextrusion through a slit die, the pressure gradients in a two-phase system can be lower than those in the two components flowing individually. The experimental observations suggest that the energy requirement for extrusion can be decreased, and the throughput increased, when one judiciously chooses proper combinations of materials and/or optimal processing conditions. In this paper, we present a theoretical analysis, which shows that the seemingly anomalous behavior of the experimentally observed pressure gradient reduction is indeed possible, depending on the rheological properties of the individual components involved in coextrusion.
Protein control of the formation and decomposition of the CYP119 and CYP101 aryl-iron complexes.

CYP119, the first thermophilic P450 enzyme, reacts much more slowly than CYP101 (P450cam) with aryldiazenes to give σ-bonded aryl-iron complexes. The CYP119 complexes are stable anaerobically at 80 °C but are readily oxidized by O2 to give the N-arylprotoporphyrin IX regioisomers. The aryl shift can also be initiated in the absence of O2 by K3Fe(CN)6. In contrast, the corresponding CYP101 complexes are insensitive to O2 but decompose at temperatures above 50 °C owing to denaturation of the protein. The rate of the CYP119 aryl shift is decreased by electron-withdrawing substituents, with ρ=−1.50 for both the O2- and K3Fe(CN)6-dependent reactions. A similar dependence (ρ=−0.90) is observed for the K3Fe(CN)6-dependent CYP101 shift. The enthalpies and entropies of activation suggest that the CYP119 and CYP101 K3Fe(CN)6-mediated reactions are similar, but the CYP119 O2-dependent reaction proceeds via a different transition state. In all cases, the rate-determining step is oxidation of the aryl-iron complex. The temperature dependence of the O2- and K3Fe(CN)6-dependent CYP119 shifts provides evidence for temperature-dependent equilibration of two active site conformations. The oxygen sensitivity of the CYP119 aryl-iron complexes, and the temperature dependence of their rearragement, reflect the unique active site properties of this thermophilic P450 enzyme.
Isolation and confirmation of function of the Coccidioides immitis URA5 (orotate phosphoribosyl transferase) gene

Abstract The OPRTase (URA5) gene of the human pathogenic fungus, Coccidioides immitis (Ci), was cloned, sequenced, chromosome-mapped and expressed both by transformation of Escherichia coli and by complementation of wdura5Δ, an auxotrophic strain of Wangiella dermatitidis (Wd) with a disrupted URA5 gene. A functional assay of the recombinant URA5 expressed by E. coli was conducted to ensure that the isolated Ci gene encodes the appropriate enzyme. In the absence of a transformation system for Ci, we also used a reported method of introduction of heterologous DNA into cells of the phylogenetically related fungus, Wangiella dermatitidis, to confirm the function of the Ci URA5 gene. Both the genomic and cDNA sequences of the Ci URA5 gene are presented. The transcription start point and two poly(A) addition sites were confirmed. The gene contains a 714-bp ORF that translates a 238-amino-acid (aa) protein of 25.5 kDa and pI of 6.5. No introns are present. The translated protein contains a single, putative N-glycosylation site. The deduced Ci protein showed 55–63% aa sequence similarity to reported fungal OPRTases. The URA5 gene was mapped to chromosome IV of Ci, and was shown to be a single copy gene by Southern and Northern hybridizations. Transformation of the wdura5Δ mutant to prototrophy was accomplished by electroporation of Wd yeast cells with the Ci URA5 gene. Cellular uptake of the heterologous DNA was confirmed by Southern hybridization. The stable transformants were unable to grow on a medium containing 5-FOA. Expression of the Ci URA5 gene can be used as a selectable marker for a transformation system, and the latter is essential for molecular studies of this pathogenic fungus.
Sex differences in brain activation during stress imagery in abstinent cocaine users : A functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Background Because stress mediates drug seeking and relapse, and sex differences have been observed in stress and in the development of cocaine addiction, in this study we used functional neuroimaging to examine the effect of sex on stress responses in abstinent cocaine users. Methods In a functional magnetic resonance imaging session, 17 male and 10 female cocaine-dependent subjects participated in script-guided imagery of neutral or stress situations. Subjects rated imagery vividness, anxiety, and cocaine craving for each trial. Brain activation during the stress and neutral imagery periods relative to their own baseline was examined in individual subjects. Sex contrast was obtained in second-level group analysis. Results Female subjects demonstrated more activation, compared with male subjects, in left middle frontal, anterior cingulate, and inferior frontal cortices and insula, and right cingulate cortex during stress imagery. Region of interest analysis showed that the change of activity in left anterior cingulate and right posterior cingulate cortices both correlated inversely with the change of craving rating during stress imagery. Conclusions The greater left frontolimbic activity in women suggests that women might use more verbal coping strategies than do men while experiencing stress. The results also suggest a distinct role of the cingulate cortices in modulating stress-induced cocaine craving.
Dehydration versus deamination of N-terminal glutamine in collision-induced dissociation of protonated peptides

Some of the most prominent “neutral losses” in peptide ion fragmentation are the loss of ammonia and water from N-terminal glutamine. These processes are studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in singly- and doubly-protonated peptide ions undergoing collision-induced dissociation in a triple quadrupole and in an ion trap instrument. For this study, four sets of peptides were synthesized: (1) QLLLPLLLK and similar peptides with K replaced by R, H, or L, and Q replaced by a number of amino acids, (2) QLnK (n=0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), (3) QLnR (n=0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9), and (4) QLn (n=1, 2, 3, 4, 8). The results for QLLLPLLLK and QLLLPLLLR show that the singly protonated ions undergo loss of ammonia and to a smaller extent loss of water, whereas the doubly protonated ions undergo predominant loss of water. The fast fragmentation next to P (forming the y5 ion) occurs to a larger extent than the neutral losses from the singly protonated ions but much less than the water loss from the doubly protonated ions. The results from these and other peptides show that, in general, when N-terminal glutamine peptides have no “mobile protons”, that is, the number of charges on the peptide is no greater than the number of basic amino acids (K, R, H), deamination is the predominant neutral loss fragmentation, but when mobile protons are present the predominant process is the loss of water. Both of these processes are faster than backbone fragmentation at the proline. These results are rationalized on the basis of resonance stabilization of the two types of five-membered ring products that would be formed in the neutral loss processes; the singly protonated ion yields the more stable neutral pyrrolidinone ring whereas the doubly protonated ion yields the protonated aminopyrroline ring (see Schemes). The generality of these trends is confirmed by analyzing an MS/MS spectra library of peptides derived from tryptic digests of yeast. In the absence of mobile protons, glutamine deamination is the most rapid neutral loss process. For peptides with mobile protons, dehydration from glutamine is far more rapid than from any other amino acid. Most strikingly, end terminal glutamine is by far the most labile source of neutral loss in excess-proton peptides, but not highly exceptional when mobile protons are not available. In addition, rates of deamination are faster in lysine versus arginine C-terminus peptides and 20 times faster in positively charged than negatively charged peptides, demonstrating that these formal neutral loss reactions are not “neutral reactions” but depend on charge state and stability.
Impacts of a Warming Climate on Energy Demands on U.S. Northeast Region

This paper analyzes the impacts of a changing climate to long-term energy activity reflected in power consumption and carbon emissions for the United States (US) Northeast (NE) region. This region represents approximately four percent of the total power consumption of the US. The paper revises the potential changes in the regional climate in the NE by analyzing long-term records of climatological data, and how these potential changes are impacting the energy demands and anthropogenic emissions due to power production. Climate records from 372 stations spread over the 9 states in the NE region were used for the period of time comprising from 1970 to 2010. The stations are part of NOAA’s Cooperative Observation Stations (COOP) that includes data for precipitation and surface maximum, minimum and average temperatures. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) for the region were analyzed from NOAA extended reconstructed sea surface temperature (ERSST) records. Long term records for state energy profiles were generated by examining the end-use sectors: residential, commercial and industrial sector using data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Results from the COOP stations and SSTs reflect that the NE region presents an asymmetric warming reflected in significant coastal warming and inland cooling. A maximum land temperature variability of 1.61°C/decade was observed during this period of time with a mean value of 0.012°C/decade for the entire region. This coastal warming may be attributed to a combined effect of global warming and population growth reflected in urbanization and related effects such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI). A symmetric warming was found in minimum surface temperatures across the region with an average of 0.06°C/decade. Both land surface temperature increases are consistent with regional SSTs trends. The energy analysis suggests that a correlation may exist between the locations of highest energy consumption and urbanized coastal areas. Total energy consumption in coastal regions increased by 13 percent during 1960–2010, in contrast, inland sites consumption increased by 9 percent. At the sector level, CO2 emissions associated to residential energy demand drastically decreased over 37 percent per capita, attributed to energy efficiencies and possibly to a warmer region in winter times. Despite these trends, the NE region continues to be one of the largest CO2 sources of US accounting for more than 15% of all emissions. These results reflect the need for better understanding of the connections between climate, energy demands and production to achieve sustainable growth.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Emerging digital micromirror device (DMD) applications

For the past six years, Digital Light Processing technology from Texas Instruments has made significant inroads in the projection display market. With products enabling the world’s smallest data and video projectors, HDTVs, and digital cinema, DLP technology is extremely powerful and flexible. At the heart of these display solutions is Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), a semiconductor-based “light switch” array of thousands of individually addressable, tiltable, mirror-pixels. With success of the DMD as a spatial light modulator for projector applications, dozens of new applications are now being enabled by general-use DMD products that are recently available to developers. The same light switching speed and “on-off” (contrast) ratio that have resulted in superior projector performance, along with the capability of operation outside the visible spectrum, make the DMD very attractive for many applications, including volumetric display, holographic data storage, lithography, scientific instrumentation, and medical imaging. This paper presents an overview of past and future DMD performance in the context of new DMD applications, cites several examples of emerging products, and describes the DMD components and tools now available to developers.
Making use of rejected light - Improved imaging with multi-channel detection in confocal and 4Pi microscopy

Light usually discarded in a microscope can be collected in additional channels and used to reduce noise sensitivity. Optimal Fourier-domain processing is used to construct a single superior image from the multi-channel image set.
Steroids in bovine muscle and adipose tissue.

Thin layer and gas liquid chromatography, (GLC) were employed as complementary techniques to investigate naturally-occurring steroids in the unsaponifiable matter of bovine muscle and adipose tissue. Three GLC liquid phases, differing in selective partition properties, were used to effectively identify unknown steroids. The results indicate that cholesterol and minor amounts of desmosterol, Δ7-cholestenol, lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol, dehydromethostenol, Δ8-methostenol, Δ7-methostenol, cholestanol and possibly ergosterol were present in the bovine tissues. The minor steroids, with the exception of cholestanol and ergosterol, are steroid precursors in cholesterol biosynthesis. Common hormonal steroids were not found in the unsaponifiables of the tissues.