cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CCL21 defect impairs dendritic cell trafficking in SAMP1/YitFc mice (MUC2P.817)

SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mice develop chronic ileitis similar to Crohn’s disease. The disease mechanism is unknown but thought to involve adaptive and innate immune responses. Here, we discovered that the chemokine CCL21, a ligand for CCR7, is almost completely absent in mesenteric lymphatics and other tissues of SAMP mice. Lymphatic CCL21 is known to be required for dendritic cell (DC) trafficking. Absence of CCL21 results in a severe defect of CD11b+CD103+ DC migration from the ileal lamina propria to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), similar to the defect seen in CCR7-deficient mice. The ability of DCs to produce retinoic acid (RA) supporting regulatory T cells (Tregs) is also drastically reduced in SAMP mice. In young mice, the defects in CCL21 expression and DC trafficking preceded the clinical manifestation of ileitis. As a therapeutic intervention, we mobilized DCs by oral treatment with the TLR7 ligand R848, which increased Tregs in MLN and dramatically improved disease scores. Thus, absence of CCL21 expression represents a major pathogenic defect contributing to ileitis in SAMP mice. Our data suggest that therapies aimed at improved DC trafficking might be useful in patients with Crohn’s disease.
Mg AlO/sub x/ barriers for low-resistance tunnel-valve sensors

In this work, to achieve practical tunnel-valve sensors for recording, the specific junction resistance of the tunnel barrier must be reduced.
Localization of occludin, ZO-1, and pan-cadherin in rabbit ciliary epithelium and iris vascular endothelium.

Previous studies have used conventional electron microscopy and freeze fracture to identify the morphological equivalents of the blood–aqueous barrier in the mammalian eye. These equivalents are the tight junctions that form a part of the apicolateral junctional complex between adjacent non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells and the tight junctions present between endothelial cells of the iris vasculature. Recent investigations have begun to unravel the molecular assembly of the tight junction and some variability has been found. Our goal in the present study was to probe the ciliary epithelium and iris vascular endothelium of the rabbit eye to determine if certain molecular constituents associated with tight junctions in other tissues are also present as parts of the blood–aqueous barrier. The selected constituents were occludin, ZO-1, and a representative, adherens junction-related cadherin. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic methods were used. The results showed that occludin was distributed exclusively at known locations of tight junctions. ZO-1 was also expressed at these locations but its distribution extended beyond that of occludin, along the adjacent membranes. Pan-cadherin was expressed ubiquitously within the ciliary epithelium and negligibly in iris vascular endothelium. Our results demonstrate that occludin and ZO-1 are integral components of the blood–aqueous barrier of the normal rabbit eye.
Trimeric G proteins: surprise witness tells a tale.

H. Bourne comments on an unusual polymeric crystal structure for the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein presented in this issue of Science by Mixon et al. (p. 954). Although he questions the authors9 suggestion that Galpha might exist as a polymer in the cell, he shows how a domain consisting of the amino and carboxyl terminal ends of the protein, evident in the polymeric structure, may be revealing how Galpha catalyzes GTP-GDP exchange.
Excretion of drugs in human milk.

Nursing infants may potentially be affected by any drug ingested by the mother; this report provides a tabulated listing of drugs present or absent in human milk and attempts to evaluate their significance to the nursing infant. Certain enzyme systems which detoxify drugs in the adult are not present in the neonate. Chloramphenicol and sulfisozazole are examples of such enzyme-dependent systems and may cause kernicterius and Gray syndrome. Psychological and physiological factors can affect the composition of the milk and alter the transfer of various drugs into the milk. Passive diffusion is the main mechanism of transfer of drugs from plasma to milk but other important means include lipid solubility route of drug administration drug dissociation constants protein binding phenomena and active transport. A table lists drugs their excretion and significance for nursing in the following categories: 1) antihistamine drugs 2) antiinfective agents 3) antineoplastics 4) autonomic drugs 5) blood formation and coagulation 6) cardiovascular drugs 7) central nervous system drugs 8) diagnostic agents 9) electrolytic caloric and water balance 10) expectorants and cough preparations 11) gastrointestinal drugs 12) hormones and synthetic substitutes 13) radioactive agents 14)serums toxoids and vaccines 15) skin and mucous membrane preparations and 16) vitamins.
Understanding Muslim patients: cross‐cultural dental hygiene care

To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2012.00559.x Sirois ML, Darby M, Tolle S. Understanding muslim patients: cross-cultural dental hygiene care. Abstract: Background: Healthcare providers who understand the basic pillars of Islamic beliefs and common religious practices can apply these concepts, anticipate the needs of the Muslim patient and family, and attract Muslim patients to the practice. Objective: Cross cultural knowledge can motivate dental hygienists to adopt culturally acceptable behaviors, strengthen patient-provider relationships and optimize therapeutic outcomes. Trends in Muslim population growth, Islamic history and beliefs, modesty practices, healthcare beliefs, contraception, childbearing, childrearing, pilgrimage, dietary practices, dental care considerations and communication are explained. Materials and methods: This paper reviews traditional Muslim beliefs and practices regarding lifestyle, customs, healthcare and religion as derived from the literature and study abroad experiences. Results and discussion: Recommendations are offered on how to blend western healthcare with Islamic practices when making introductions, appointments, eye contact, and selecting a practitioner. The significance of fasting and how dental hygiene care can invalidate the fast are also discussed. Conclusion: The ultimate goal is for practitioners to be culturally competent in providing care to Muslim patients, while keeping in mind that beliefs and practices can vary widely within a culture.
Defect-enabled electrical current leakage in ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

The AlGaN materials system offers a tunable, ultra-wide bandgap that is exceptionally useful for high-power electronics and deep ultraviolet optoelectronics. Moseley et al. (pp. 723–726) investigate a structural defect known as an open-core threading dislocation or ''nanopipe'' that is particularly detrimental to devices that employ these materials. Furthermore, an AlGaN thin film was synthesized using metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition. Electrical current leakage is detected at a discrete point using a conductive atomic-force microscope (CAFM). However, no physical feature or abnormality at this location was visible by an optical microscope. The AlGaN thin film was then etched in hot phosphoric acid, and the same location that was previously analyzed was revisited with the CAFM. The point that previously exhibited electrical current leakage had been decorated with a 1.1 μm wide hexagonal pit, which identified the site of electrical current leakage as a nanopipe and allows these defects to be easily observed by optical microscopy. Moreover, with this nanopipe identification and quantification strategy, the authors were able to correlate decreasing ultraviolet light-emitting diode optical output power with increasing nanopipe density.
Characterization of pII family (GlnK1, GlnK2, and GlnB) protein uridylylation in response to nitrogen availability for Rhodopseudomonas palustris.

Abstract The GlnK and GlnB proteins are members of the pII signal transduction protein family, which is essential in nitrogen regulation due to this protein family’s ability to sense internal cellular ammonium levels and control cellular response. The role of GlnK in nitrogen regulation has been studied in a variety of bacteria but previously has been uncharacterized in the purple nonsulfur anoxygenic phototropic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris. R. palustris has tremendous metabolic versatility in its modes of energy generation and carbon metabolism, and it employs a sensitive nitrogen–ammonium regulation system that may vary from that of other commonly studied bacteria. In R. palustris, there are three annotated forms of pII proteins: GlnK1, GlnK2, and GlnB. Here we describe, for the first time, the characterization of GlnK1, GlnK2, and GlnB modifications as a response to nitrogen availability, thereby providing information about how this bacterium regulates the AmtB ammonium transporter and glutamine synthetase, which controls the rate of glutamate to glutamine conversion. Using a strategy of creating C-terminally tagged GlnK and GlnB proteins followed by tandem affinity purification in combination with top-down mass spectrometry, four isoforms of the GlnK2 and GlnB proteins and two isoforms of the GlnK1 protein were characterized at high resolution and mass accuracy. Wild-type or endogenous expression of all three proteins was also examined under normal ammonium conditions and ammonium starvation to ensure that the tagging and affinity purification methods employed did not alter the natural state of the proteins. All three proteins were found to undergo uridylylation under ammonium starvation conditions, presumably to regulate the AmtB ammonium transporter and glutamine synthetase. Under high-ammonium conditions, the GlnK1, GlnK2, and GlnB proteins are unmodified. This experimental protocol involving high-resolution mass spectrometry measurements of intact proteins provides a powerful method of examining the posttranslational modifications that play a crucial role in both the regulation of the AmtB ammonium transporter and glutamine synthetase within R. palustris.
Design criteria for Si point-contact concentrator solar cells

Design criteria for concentrator solar cells are presented for the highly three-dimensional case of backside point-contact solar cells. A recent new experimental result, a 28-percent efficient cell (25°C, 15-W/cm2incident power) is used as a case study of the dependences of the recombination components and the carrier density gradients on the geometrical design parameters. The optimum geometry is found to depend upon the intended design power density as well as the attainable physical parameters allowed by the fabrication techniques utilized. Modeling projections indicate that an ultimate efficiency of 30.6 percent (36 W/cm2, 300 K) is achievable using the diffused emitters presently employed on these cells. Incorporation of results from the study of polycrystalline emitters could improve these efficiencies toward 31.7 percent.
A study on the biosynthesis ofcis-9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid

Preliminary studies show that red stem, rust-infected wheat plants provide a means for investigating the biosynthesis of epoxy fatty acids. The incorporation of 1-14C-acetate intocis-9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid occurs at the stage of the infection when sporulation is proceeding, and at the same stage there is at least a fourfold increase in the synthesis of other fatty acids. The epoxy acid appears to be formed by the condensation of acetate units in a process that requires oxygen and is not stimulated appreciably by light.
Effect of membrane structure and protein concentration on the osmotic reflection coefficient

Abstract Although there have been a number of important studies of the protein filtration reflection coefficient (or sieving coefficient) for asymmetric ultrafiltration membranes, there have been no corresponding studies of the protein osmotic reflection coefficient and its effect on solvent flux. We have obtained experimental data for the bovine serum albumin osmotic reflection coefficient for asymmetric polyethersulfone membranes with nominal molecular weight cut-offs from 30,000 to 1,000,000. The overall osmotic reflection coefficients for these membranes were smaller than the reflection coefficients of the skin layer due to the substantial diffusive resistance provided by the membrane support structure. The results for the skin layer were in relatively good agreement with available hydrodynamic models, suitably modified to account for the effects of protein adsorption and for the presence of a pore size distribution. The osmotic reflection coefficients decreased with increasing bulk protein concentration, with the concentration dependence somewhat larger than that predicted by available theoretical analyses. The osmotic reflection coefficients were in relatively good agreement with literature values for the corresponding filtration reflection coefficients, with the slightly smaller values for the osmotic reflection coefficients probably reflecting the variation in pore size within the ultrathin skin of these asymmetric membranes.
The effect of the success-oriented teacher on pupils' perceived personal control and attitude toward learning☆

Abstract After special training, 67 teachers of the third through sixth grades, with a total of 1853 pupils, each conducted an experience-based social studies program in his or her own class during the semester following the training. The program, the Mini-Society, requires considerable pupil autonomy. Half of the classes were taught by teachers with the highest success orientation toward teaching. These students showed significantly larger residual gains on perceived personal control of their own academic success and failure and on favorable attitude toward learning than did students in classes taught by the other half of the teachers, who were oriented more toward avoidance of failure in their teaching.
Influence of Radiant Energy from Fluorescent Light Sources on Growth, Mortality, and Feed Conversion of Broilers,

Abstract Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects on growth, feed conversion and mortality of broilers under white incandescent lamps and fluorescent light sources which emitted predominantly radiant energy representing the blue, green, yellow and red portions of the light spectrum. Based on four trials 9 week old broilers under either the blue or green fluorescent light were the heaviest and the lightest were those under the red light. The white incandescent and yellow fluorescent groups were in between the two extremes in regards to weight. Neither feed conversion nor mortality were influenced by light treatment.
Very large ground-based telescopes for optical and IR astronomy

Methods for improving the light grasp by an order of magnitude for earth-based observations of astrophysical objects are reviewed. Noting that the atmosphere is opaque below 0.3 micron and that techniques have been developed to make corrections for the atmospheric distortion, fully diffraction limited IR performance at 10 microns is asserted to be practicable. The use of mirror-seeing with metal mirrors with thin faceplates and air cooling is outlined as a means to achieve subarcsec resolution. Designs are considered which involve multiple sections to gain effective large aperture viewing for spectroscopy, using Si CCD detectors, and heterodyne IR interferometry, but not for direct interferometry or certain IR measurements. The Multiple Mirror Telescope is described, including designs for four 7.5 m honeycomb glass primaries co-aligned in a single mount. Further discussion is devoted to the fabrication of mirror elements and electronic image stabilization.
Relevant signs of stable and unstable thoracolumbar vertebral column trauma.

One-hundred and seventeen patients with acute thoracolumbar vertebral column fracture or fracture-dislocations were analyzed and classified into stable (36%) and unstable (64%). Eight helpful roentgen signs were observed that may serve to direct attention to serious underlying, often occult, fractures and dislocations. The changes fall into four principal groups: abnormal soft tissues, abnormal vertebral alignment, abnormal joints, and widened vertebral canal. All stable and unstable lesions showed abnormal soft tissues, while 70% demonstrated kyphosis and/or scoliosis, and an abnormal adjacent intervertebral disk space. All unstable lesions showed one or more of the following signs: displaced vertebra, widened interspinous space, abnormal apophyseal joint(s), and widened vertebral canal.
Radiofrequency ablation to treat non-small cell lung cancer and pulmonary metastases

Radiofrequency ablation is being reported with increasing frequency for the treatment of lung tumors. Several studies have demonstrated that this is a feasible and safe approach. Intermediate outcomes are now becoming available. Although tumors up to 5 cm in size can be effectively treated with radiofrequency ablation, results are better for smaller tumors (3 cm or less). This review describes the techniques, available ablation devices, and the potential role of radiofrequency ablation for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pulmonary metastases. Resection (lobar or sublobar) should remain the standard therapy for NSCLC. Radiofrequency ablation may be better than conventional external-beam radiation for the treatment of the high-risk individual with NSCLC. Preliminary results for pulmonary metastases are similar to those reported after resection. In addition, patients with pulmonary metastases have been demonstrated to develop recurrences even after thoracotomy and bimanual palpation of the lung. Radiofrequency ablation may be an alternative to resection for the patient with small-diameter pulmonary metastases, and future study of this may be indicated.
Unto the sweet bird's throat

Bird Song: Biological Themes and Variations. By C. K. Catchpole and P. J. B. Slater. Cambridge University Press: 1995. Pp. 248. £19.95, $32.95.
Kinetics of ethane hydrogenolysis over supported platinum catalysts

Results of reaction kinetic, microcalorimetric, spectroscopic, and quantum chemical studies are combined to develop a quantitative description of ethane hydrogenolysis over platinum. This work builds on investigations by John H. Sinfelt and co-workers of ethane hydrogenolysis over Group VIII metals. In the present analysis, quantum chemical methods are used to estimate energetics for interactions of various C2Hx species with platinum that have been observed experimentally in microcalorimetric and spectroscopic studies of ethylene and acetylene adsorption on platinum catalysts. These theoretical methods are then extended to predict energetics for hydrocarbon species and transition states on platinum that can not be observed experimentally. The combined results of these experimental and theoretical investigations provide thermodynamic information about adsorbed C2 species on platinum as well as transition states for cleavage of the C–C bond in these species. These results were used to refine and constrain kinetic analyses of kinetic data collected for ethane hydrogenolysis over a wide range of conditions. Results of these analyses suggest that the primary reaction pathways for cleavage of the C–C bond take place through activated complexes based on ethyl (C2H5) and ethylidene (CHCH3) species. Furthermore, these analyses suggest that while the more abundant surface species (e.g., adsorbed atomic hydrogen, ethylidyne, and vinylidene species) are not directly involved in the primary reaction pathways, they affect the observed kinetic rates through blocking of sites.
Scheduling tree dags on parallel architectures

We provide optimal within a constant explicit upper bounds on the makespan of schedules for tree-structured programs on mesh arrays of processors, and provide polynomial-time algorithms to find schedules with makespan matching these bounds. In particular, we show how to find, in polynomial time, a (nonpreemptive) schedule for a binary tree dag withn unit execution time tasks and heighth on ad-dimensional mesh array withm processors and links of unit bandwidth and unit propagation delay whose makespan isO(n/m+n1/(d+1)+h), i.e., optimal within a constant factor. Further, we extend these schedules to bounded degree forest dags with arbitrary positive integer execution time tasks and to meshes when the propagation delay of all the links is an arbitrary positive integer. Thus, we provide a polynomial-time approximation algorithm for an NP-hard problem, with a performance ratio that is a constant.
The Effects of Read-Alouds of Expository Text on First Graders' Listening Comprehension and Book Choice

The researchers investigated the effects of listening to expository text on the listening comprehension and book choice of 77 first-grade students. Two intact classes of experimental children heard expository read-alouds over four weeks while two intact classes of 40 controls received no intervention and followed their teacher's normal read-aloud schedule. Results indicated that both groups significantly preferred expository text compared to narrative before as well as after the intervention even though participants in the control groups heard narration almost exclusively during routine classroom read-alouds. Additionally, a MANOVA revealed a significant increase in expository listening comprehension of the experimental groups although they scored significantly higher on narration during pretesting. This suggests that exposure to expository texts in the early grades helps prepare young children for the informational, expository reading required in later grades.
Mutagenic activity of compounds related to mustard gas

Abstract A study was made of the mutagenic activity of a number of compounds chemically related to mustard gas. Biochemical mutants of Neurospora crassa were tested for reversion to nutritionally independent forms. Under the conditions of the tests, monofunctional compounds of the type RSCH2CH2Cl showed activity comparable to that of mustard gas. The aliphatic monofunctional nitrogen mustards were found to be more active toward the adenineless mutant and less active toward the inositolless mutant than the corresponding bifunctional compounds. Nitrogen mustards with aromatic substituents exhibited low to insignificant activity. With the few compounds tested, similar results were obtained with the inositolless, adenineless mutant. The vesicant 2-chloroethyl sulfones and vinyl sulfones were found to be inactive under the conditions of the experiments. The sulfonium compound (thiodiethylene)bis(bis(-2-hydroxyethyl) sulfonium chloride) proved to be an effective mutagen. The mutagenic activity of sulfonium compounds may provide an explanation for the mutagenic activity of “aged” solutions of mustard gas and related compounds.
High Electron Mobility in Solution-Cast and Vapor-Deposited Phenacyl−Quaterthiophene-Based Field-Effect Transistors: Toward N-Type Polythiophenes

New carbonyl-functionalized quaterthiophenes, 5,5' ''-diperfluorophenylcarbonyl-2,2':5',2' ':5' ',2' ''-quaterthiophene [DFCO-4T], 5,5' ''-diphenyl-2,2':5',2' ':5' ',2' ''-quaterthiophene [DPCO-4T], and a polymer having the same basic motif as DFCO-4T, poly{1,4-bis[(3'-n-octyl-2,2'-dithiophene)carbonyl]-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene} [P(COFCO-4T)], have been synthesized, characterized, and the crystal structures of the molecules determined. Field-effect transistors fabricated with vapor-deposited and solution-cast films of DFCO-4T exhibit very high Ion:Ioff current ratios (up to 108) and electron mobilities up to approximately 0.51 and approximately 0.25 cm2.V-1.s-1, respectively. Solution-cast blends of P(COFCO-4T) and DFCO-4T (1:1 weight ratio) exhibit an electron mobility of approximately 0.01 cm2.V-1.s-1 (Ion:Ioff = 104).
Live imaging of neuronal connections by magnetic resonance: Robust transport in the hippocampal-septal memory circuit in a mouse model of Down syndrome.

Connections from hippocampus to septal nuclei have been implicated in memory loss and the cognitive impairment in Down syndrome (DS). We trace these connections in living mice by Mn^(2+) enhanced 3D MRI and compare normal with a trisomic mouse model of DS, Ts65Dn. After injection of 4 nl of 200 mM Mn^(2+) into the right hippocampus, Mn^(2+) enhanced circuitry was imaged at 0.5, 6, and 24 h in each of 13 different mice by high resolution MRI to detect dynamic changes in signal over time. The pattern of Mn^(2+) enhanced signal in vivo correlated with the histologic pattern in fixed brains of co-injected 3kD rhodamine–dextran–amine, a classic tracer. Statistical parametric mapping comparing intensity changes between different time points revealed that the dynamics of Mn2+ transport in this pathway were surprisingly more robust in DS mice than in littermate controls, with statistically significant intensity changes in DS appearing at earlier time points along expected pathways. This supports reciprocal alterations of transport in the hippocampal-forebrain circuit as being implicated in DS and argues against a general failure of transport. This is the first examination of in vivo transport dynamics in this pathway and the first report of elevated transport in DS.
Anionic copolymerization of lauryl lactam and polycaprolactone for the production of a poly(ester amide) triblock copolymer

This article examines the anionic polymerization of lauryl lactam into polyamide 12 and the copolymerization of lauryl lactam with a diisocyanate-end-capped polycaprolactone used to produce a poly(ester amide) block copolymer. The molecular weights of the polyester polyols used in the preparation of the diisocyanate-end-capped polycaprolactone were varied. The products were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, and the mechanical properties were measured in a mechanical tester. The influence of the polyol molecular weight was considered. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3797–3805, 2003
T cell enrichment and depletion of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations. Unexpected findings in the study of the functional activities of the separated populations

Abstract In the present communication we present the results of a study undertaken to assess the effectiveness of several methods of depleting human peripheral blood of thymus-derived (T) cells, and to assess the purity of the T cell-enriched populations obtained. The methods of T cell depletion employed included rosetting with unmodified sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in the cold at high erythrocyte to lymphocyte ratios; rosetting with S-2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide (AET)-treated SRBC; and cytotoxic depletion using anti-Leu-1, a monoclonal antibody directed toward a pan-T cell antigen, and rabbit complement. The methods used to enrich for T cells included rosetting with unmodified or AET-treated SRBC, and passage through a nylon wool column. • The purity of the T-enriched and T-depleted populations obtained was assessed by (a) repeat rosetting with unmodified SRBC, (b) staining for cell surface immunoglobulin (sIg), (c) quantitating the number of Ig secreting cells (ISC) in a reverse hemolytic plaque assay, (d) quantitating the proliferative responses to the T cell mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and to the B cell mitogen Staphylococcus aureus Cowan (SAC), and (e) quantitating the development of ISC following culture with PWM, with or without the addition of an irradiated T cell-enriched population. • By all parameters investigated, the depletion of T cells from peripheral blood by rosetting with AET-treated SRBC or by treatment with anti-Leu-1 and complement was far more effective than by rosetting with unmodified SRBC under optimal conditions. Of particular note was the finding that functional assays (ISC at time zero (T0), proliferative response to SAC, the development of ISC on culture with PWM) revealed a much higher degree of B cell contamination in all of the T cell-enriched populations than would have been suspected from the extent of the depletion of sIg staining cells.
Transferrin-directed Internalization and Cycling of Transferrin Receptor 2

Transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) is a homologue of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) but has distinct functions from TfR1 in iron homeostasis. In keeping with its proposed role in iron sensing, previous studies showed that TfR2 has a short half-life and that holo-Tf stabilizes TfR2 by redirecting it from a degradative pathway to a recycling pathway. In this study, we characterized how the endocytosis, recycling and degradation of TfR2 relates to its function and differs from TfR1. TfR2 endocytosis was adaptor protein-2 (AP-2) dependent. Flow cytometry analysis showed that TfR1 and TfR2 utilized the same endocytic pathway only in the presence of holo-Tf, indicating that holo-Tf alters the interaction of TfR2 with the endocytic machinery. Unlike TfR1, phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 1 (PACS-1) binds to the cytoplasmic domain of TfR2 and data suggest that PACS-1 is involved in the TfR2 recycling. Depletion of TSG101 by siRNA or expression of a dominant negative Vps4 inhibited TfR2 degradation, indicating that TfR2 degradation occurs through a multivesicular body (MVB) pathway. TfR2 degradation is not mediated through ubiquitination on the single lysine (K31) in the cytoplasmic domain or on the amino terminal residue. No ubiquitination of TfR2 by HA-ubiquitin was detected, indicating a lack of direct TfR2 ubiquitination involvement in its degradation.
An extension of price improvement debate: The case of American Depository Receipts (ADRs)

Abstract We empirically test whether the change in minimum stock price variation (shifting from the eighth to sixteenth) in the late 90s in NYSE, followed by a system of full decimalization had any significant price improvement on the American Depository Receipts (ADRs). The trade data for August 1996 and August 1997 were included in the sample. Twenty-one trading days were selected in each year. Trades for each day in 1996 were matched with trades for each day in 1997. Price improvements were calculated before the change in minimum variation and after. The data was processed through a multi-stage filtering process: retrieve and filter raw data, match trades with quotes, calculate price improvements, perform paired t -tests, analyze the data and distribution graphs. The results did not reveal any consistent pattern of price improvement in the case of ADRs. Changing the minimum variation of stock pricing from 1/8 to 1/16 of a US dollar appears to have affected price improvement in almost 50% of the ADRs under analysis. No statistically significant connection is determined between the minimum price variation of ADRs and price improvement.
Progress on advanced tokamak and steady-state scenario development on DIII-D and NSTX

Advanced tokamak (AT) research seeks to develop steady-state operating scenarios for ITER and other future devices from a demonstrated scientific basis. Normalized target parameters for steady-state operation on ITER are 100% non-inductive current operation with a bootstrap current fraction f BS ≥ 60%, q 95 ∼ 4-5 and G ≡ β N H scaling /q 2 95 ≥ 0.3. Progress in realizing such plasmas is considered in terms of the development of plasma control capabilities and scientific understanding, leading to improved AT performance. NSTX has demonstrated active resistive wall mode stabilization with low, ITER-relevant, rotation rates below the critical value required for passive stabilization. On DIII-D, experimental observations and GYRO simulations indicate that ion internal transport barrier (ITB) formation at rational-q surfaces is due to equilibrium zonal flows generating high local E x B shear levels. In addition, stability modelling for DIII-D indicates a path to operation at β N ≥ 4 with q min ≥ 2, using broad, hollow current profiles to increase the ideal wall stability limit. Both NSTX and DIII-D have optimized plasma performance and expanded AT operational limits. NSTX now has long-pulse, high performance discharges meeting the normalized targets for an spherical torus-based component test facility. DIII-D has developed sustained discharges combining high beta and ITBs, with performance approaching levels required for AT reactor concepts, e.g. β N = 4, H 89 = 2.5, with f BS > 60%. Most importantly, DIII-D has developed ITER steady-state demonstration discharges, simultaneously meeting the targets for steady-state Q ≥ 5 operation on ITER set out above, substantially increasing confidence in ITER meeting its steady-state performance objective.
Association between insecticide use and greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood) resistance to, insecticides in Hawaii

Susceptibility to acephate, methomyl, and permethrin was determined with laboratory bioassays for adults of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, from 12 to 14 sites in Hawaii. Comparisons at LC50 showed up to 42-fold resistance to acephate, 36-fold resistance to methomyl, and 8-fold resistance to permethrin. Higher levels of resistance to acephate and methomyl than to permethrin are consistent with greater use of organophosphates and carbamates than pyrethroids by growers. Insecticide use varied from 1 to 98 insecticide sprays per site per season. Significant positive associations between LC50 for each insecticide and frequency of application of the same insecticide were found across sites. This finding suggests that local variation in insecticide use was an important cause of variation in susceptibility.
Is oxidative stress differentially regulated in the renal cortex and medulla

The cortex and medulla of the kidney are believed to exist on a tightrope between normal function and hypoxia. The contributions of cortical and medullary hypoperfusion to hypertension have been widely investigated. In this Viewpoint, Thomas Pallone distills current knowledge on the roles of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in this setting, and speculates on the implications for future treatment of hypertension.
A Good Living Versus A Good Life: Meaning, Purpose, and HRD

The ProblemThe expectation for meaningful work and work–life integration is firmly entrenched in the minds of the GenerationY/Millennial generations in the workplace. Yet, in updating the literatur...
Deglutition-induced atrial tachycardia: direct visualization by intracardiac echocardiography.

A 56-year-old man with gastroesophageal reflux disease had severe but transient palpitations during swallowing with every meal. He continued to have symptoms despite cessation of alcohol and caffeine consumption. Although he was occasionally able to reproduce his symptoms with dry swallowing, they were more prominent after swallowing solid food or carbonated beverages. He reported no palpitations unrelated to deglutition. A 24-hour Holter monitor revealed numerous runs of atrial tachycardia (AT) during meals with varying atrial cycle lengths between 320–500 ms (Figure 1). An echocardiogram was normal. Figure 1. Holter recordings of clinical arrhythmia. Three channel recordings of runs of atrial tachycardia with and without aberrancy are shown during periods of swallowing as patient is having lunch. He was initially placed on β-blockers, which had minimal therapeutic effect and were not tolerated due to fatigue. He was then placed on flecainide, which reduced but did not abolish the arrhythmias. Because of his daily symptoms despite antiarrhythmic medications, he underwent an invasive electrophysiology study. During electrophysiology study, an AT with varying cycle lengths between 300–510 ms was reproducibly induced with swallowing and was found to arise from the left atrium. A circular mapping catheter was placed in the right superior pulmonary …
Leaf Diffusion Resistance, Illuminance, and Transpiration

Stepwise increases in fluorescent illuminance, imposed as a single variable in a controlled environment, induced progressive stomatal opening in 8 plant species, as evidenced by a consistent decrease in leaf diffusion resistance (R(L)), ranging from 15 to 70 sec cm(-1) in darkness to about 1 sec cm(-1) at approximately 40 kilolux. The minimum R(L) values were the same for the upper and the lower epidermis, provided that stomatal density was adequate. Saturation illuminance was not achieved in any species; extrapolation indicates that 50 kilolux would bring about full stomatal opening (R(L) </= 0.1 sec cm(-1)).In 4 species, reasonable agreement was obtained in a controlled environment between transpiration as measured by weight loss and that calculated from determination of (a) the difference in water vapor density from leaf to air, (b) the boundary layer resistance, and (c) the leaf diffusion resistance. This result confirms the physical validity of the resistance measurement procedure.
Plastic materials accumulating in Narragansett Bay

Abstract A survey of the plastic materials accumulating on a private beach on Conanicut Island, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, indicated that the plastic pollutants were mainly a by-product of recreational activities within the bay and not household, industrial or agricultural refuse. Plastic objects manufactured from polyethylene made up the bulk of the flotsam on the beach.
Recurrent Spontaneous Arterial Dissections Risk in Familial Versus Nonfamilial Disease

Background and Purpose Among patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissections, the risk of recurrent arterial dissection is relatively low at 1% per year, but this risk may be higher for patients with a family history of arterial dissections. We compared the risk of a recurrent arterial dissection in patients with familial versus nonfamilial disease. Methods Long-term follow-up was established in 200 patients (104 women and 96 men with a mean age of 44.9 years) with spontaneous cervical artery dissections evaluated at a single institution between 1970 and 1990. Results Among the 200 patients, 10 (5%) were identified who had a family history of spontaneous arterial dissections. In a multivariate analysis, family history was the only significant variable associated with the risk of recurrent dissection (χ2=15.51; P =.0001). A recurrent arterial dissection was identified in 5 (50%) of the 10 patients with familial disease compared with 11 (5.8%) of the 190 patients with nonfamilial disease, with an estimated relative risk of 6.3 (95% confidence interval, 2.2 to 18.3; P =.0007). Conclusions Among patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissections, a family history of arterial dissection is an important risk factor for the development of a recurrent arterial dissection.
Living in a physical world IX. Making and maintaining liquid water.

Metabolically active organisms contain water in its liquid phase – I believe no exceptions are known. Life’s domain consists of the intersection of the circumstances under which liquid water will persist and those at the earth’s surface – except as we artifi cially maintain some bit of that domain elsewhere. No single phase of a single compound so characterizes the conditions necessary for life. Yes, a few ice crystals can often be tolerated, usually if extracellular. And water vapour can play some useful roles – in reducing evaporation, as a condensable resource, perhaps for producing the density variations that permit free convection. But liquid water is crucial to life as we know it. In a once well-known book, The Fitness of the Environment, Lawrence Henderson (1913) assigns a defi nitional rather than merely a facilitating role to the particular and peculiar physical and chemical properties of liquid water. The specifi cs of his argument still, one might say, hold water, even if their context now strikes the reader as offensively teleological and tautological and fails to persuade – at least as we contemporary biologists understand the idea of fi tness. Water abounds on earth, and most of that water will be in the liquid phase under conditions typical of its surface. But life perpetually pushes against environmental limits – in particular, against its abiotic barriers. Managing where water is minimally accessible can provide temporary refuges, open otherwise unexploited regions, and so forth. In all too many places, temperatures sometimes fall to levels at which water prefers its solid phase. Nor can life ignore its gaseous phase. While in few habitable places do temperatures exceed water’s normal boiling point, vaporization occurs in virtually all terrestrial habitats. So familiar is that last point that a subtle peculiarity of our immediate world can escape our notice. Enclose a dish of some volatile liquid in an air-fi lled container and keep the whole thing in a dark place at a constant temperature. Evaporation will proceed until the gas phase contains vapour at its saturation partial pressure, at 100% relative humidity for that substance. But atmospheric air, even over large bodies of fresh water, rarely reaches 100% humidity (or 97%, when equilibrated above seawater). Temperature variation, convection, and wind create innumerable opportunities for condensation. And thus we hang out our washing even on overcast days, confi dent that it will dry in the air. Nonetheless, equilibration can and does occur. For instance, the air within soil most often contains water at full saturation pressure, even in all but the few top centimeters of the soil of deserts (Schmidt-Nielsen and Schmidt-Nielsen 1950).
Teacher training in early childhood education: The case of Ghana, West Africa

Abstract Teacher training in early childhood education in Ghana, West Africa is more of a grassroots effort rather than a formal system that is fully supported financially by the Ministry of Education. Formal teacher‐training college or university‐based early childhood teacher training has yet to be realized for the thousands of teachers of children 3–5 years old in government or government‐supported primary schools. This work chronicles the past and present teacher‐training programs available in this country that reports approximately 4.3 million children in its population under the age of 6 years.
Image-quality metrics for characterizing adaptive optics system performance

Adaptive optics system (AOS) performance is a function of the system design, seeing conditions, and light level of the wave-front beacon. It is desirable to optimize the controllable parameters in an AOS to maximize some measure of performance. For this optimization to be useful, it is necessary that a set of image-quality metrics be developed that vary monotonically with the AOS performance under a wide variety of imaging environments. Accordingly, as conditions change, one can be confident that the computed metrics dictate appropriate system settings that will optimize performance. Three such candidate metrics are presented. The first is the Strehl ratio; the second is a novel metric that modifies the Strehl ratio by integration of the modulus of the average system optical transfer function to a noise-effective cutoff frequency at which some specified image spectrum signal-to-noise ratio level is attained; and the third is simply the cutoff frequency just mentioned. It is shown that all three metrics are correlated with the rms error (RMSE) between the measured image and the associated diffraction-limited image. Of these, the Strehl ratio and the modified Strehl ratio exhibit consistently high correlations with the RMSE across a broad range of conditions and system settings. Furthermore, under conditions that yield a constant average system optical transfer function, the modified Strehl ratio can still be used to delineate image quality, whereas the Strehl ratio cannot.
The intensely sweet herb, Lippia dulcis Trev.: Historical uses, field inquiries, and constituents

Lippia dulcis Trev. (Verbenaceae) is the source of hernandulcin, the first known intensely sweet sesquiterpenoid, a compound which is a volatile oil constituent. The literature on the uses of this species, dating back to early colonial times in Mexico, has been examined. This plant began to be used as an official drug in the late 19th century for the treatment of coughs and bronchitis, and at that time preliminary phytochemical investigations were undertaken. Field work carried out in Mexico in 1981 and 1982 has indicated that there is still an active trade involving L. dulcis, which is sold primarily in market places for its alleged abortifacient activity. We have obtained no evidence, either from the literature or from field inquiries, that L. dulcis has ever been used for sweetening foods or beverages. Fourteen L. dulcis volatile oil constituents, mainly mono- and sesquiterpenoids, were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The toxic compound, camphor, was found to constitute 53% w/w of the volatile oil of this species. The potential use of L. dulcis for the extraction of hernandulcin is discussed.
“Activator-competitive” enzyme inhibition. Interrelation of dissociation, activation, inhibition and surface inactivation of β-glucuronidase

Abstract 1. 1. Dilution of β-glucuronidase causes reversible dissociation of the enzyme into inactive polypeptides. 2. 2. Many polycations are able to prevent the dissociation and, thus, act as activators of the diluted enzyme. 3. 3. Polymethacrylic acid and polystyrene sulfonate reversibly inhibit dilute β-glucuronidase by sequestering its activator with which they form complexes. Enzyme and inhibitor compete with each other for the activator. The potency of the inhibition depends on the chemical nature of the activator and on its concentration, a mechanism which results in an antagonism between inhibitor and activator. 4. 4. The products of dissociation of β-glucuronidase are irreversibly altered upon contact with rough surfaces, such as scratched glass or quartz sand, inasmuch as the addition of activators no longer restores the original enzyme activity. Thus, handling of diluted β-glucuronidase in ordinary glassware causes an irreversible inactivation. 5. 5. The inactivation can be prevented by the presence of activators during the contact with glass, or it can be boosted by the presence of polymethacrylate or polystyrene sulfonate. Concentrated enzyme solutions are stable in glass, and diluted enzyme solutions are not inactivated in polyethylene containers.
The presence of low IQ and mental retardation among murder defendants referred for pretrial evaluation.

After an overview of definitions of mental retardation and recent case law regarding mental retardation and the death penalty, this paper presents a study of factors associated with a mental retardation (MR) diagnosis among murder defendants. Subjects with a full-scale IQ Language: en
A Comparison of Two Rank-Based Methods for the Analysis of Linear Models

Abstract Two rank-based methods for analyzing linear models are compared. A robust general linear model (RGLM); similar to least squares, offers a complete analysis of a model, including estimation, testing, and diagnostic checks. It is supported by asymptotic theory and is highly efficient. The other is the rank transform (RT), which offers a testing procedure. Unlike RGLM, the RT is not supported by a general theory, and although initial simulation studies appeared promising, recent theoretical and Monte Carlo studies question the wisdom of doing RT's on designs as simple as two-way models. The two analyses are contrasted over factorial designs on which they can substantially differ. These differences are highlighted in a simulation study on a three-way factorial design. We conclude the contrast with an analysis of covariance example.
Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Associated with Gatifloxacin Use in Elderly Patients

Fourth-generation quinolones, such as levofloxacin (Levofloxin) and gatifloxacin (Tequin), have become widely used in outpatient and inpatient settings. These quinolones add Gram-positive bacterial coverage and maintain the Gram-negative coverage of earlier quinolones. This broad-spectrum coverage