cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Requirement of the Tissue-Restricted Homeodomain Transcription Factor Nkx6.3 in Differentiation of Gastrin-Producing G Cells in the Stomach Antrum

Many homeodomain transcription factors function in organogenesis and cell differentiation. The Nkx family illustrates these functions especially well, and the Nkx6 subfamily controls differentiation in the central nervous system and pancreas. Nkx6.3, a recent addition to this subfamily, overlaps Nkx6.1 and Nkx6.2 in expression in the hindbrain and stomach. Nkx6.3 transcripts localize in the epithelium of the most distal stomach region, the antrum and pylorus; expression in the adult intestine is lower and confined to the proximal duodenum. Nkx6.3−/− mice develop and grow normally, with a grossly intact stomach and duodenum. These mice show markedly reduced gastrin mRNA, many fewer gastrin-producing (G) cells in the stomach antrum, hypogastrinemia, and increased stomach luminal pH, with a corresponding increase in somatostatin mRNA levels and antral somatostatin-producing (D) cells. They express normal levels of other transcription factors required for gastric endocrine cell differentiation, Pdx1, Pax6, and Ngn3; conversely, Ngn3−/− mice, which also show reduced gastrin levels, express Nkx6.3 normally. These studies implicate Nkx6.3 as a selective regulator of G- and D-cell lineages, which are believed to derive from a common progenitor, and suggest that it operates in parallel with Ngn3.
Long range transport of toxaphene insecticide in the atmosphere of the western North Atlantic

OVER the past ten years toxaphene has been used in the USA in larger quantities than any other insecticide, with an estimated consumption of 58 million pounds per year (ref. 1). In spite of this widespread use, the composition of toxaphene remains largely undetermined, and recent work indicates that the technical product contains nearly 200 polychlorinated camphenes2. Because of the difficulties in analysing such a complex mixture, little is known about the dissipation of toxaphene in the environment. Residues in soils may persist for years, with volatilisation suggested as a major loss mechanism3. Toxaphene has been identified, however, in US air samples in only three locations4, all in southern agricultural areas, at levels of 16–2,520 ng m−3. The ability of high molecular weight chlorinated hydrocarbons to be transported long distances through the atmosphere has been well established within the past decade. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)5,6, and the chlorinated pesticides DDT6–9, dieldrin7,9, and chlordane6 have been identified in the air over the western North Atlantic. We now report that toxaphene is also carried through the atmosphere at least 1,200km out to sea.
Sex differences in insulin action and body fat distribution in overweight and obese middle-aged and older men and women.

Controversy exists as to whether there are differences in insulin action between older men and women, and what factors contribute to these differences. This study tests the hypothesis that sex diff...
Methacholine challenge is insufficient to exclude bronchial hyper-responsiveness in a symptomatic military population.

AbstractBackground: Bronchial hyper-responsiveness in a military population has been evaluated by direct and indirect challenge methods. We hypothesized that negative methacholine challenge testing (MCT) was not sufficient to exclude significant bronchial hyper-responsiveness in a symptomatic military population with exertional dyspnea. The purpose of our study was to identify bronchial hyper-responsiveness in symptomatic military recruits and active duty personnel with normal baseline spirometry and negative pharmacologic bronchoprovocation testing. Methods: We performed a retrospective single center electronic chart review of symptomatic service members with a negative MCT who completed a subsequent exercise challenge test (ECT). Results: ECT was positive in 45 (26.4%) of 171 subjects (98 recruits). Subjects with a positive ECT had lower baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC than those with a negative ECT, and these differences were statistically ...
Fibrils Colocalize Caspase-3 with Procaspase-3 to Foster Maturation

Most proteases are expressed as inactive precursors, or zymogens, that become activated by limited proteolysis. We previously identified a small molecule, termed 1541, that dramatically promotes the maturation of the zymogen, procaspase-3, to its mature form, caspase-3. Surprisingly, compound 1541 self-assembles into nanofibrils, and localization of procaspase-3 to the fibrils promotes activation. Here, we interrogate the biochemical mechanism of procaspase-3 activation on 1541 fibrils in addition to proteogenic amyloid-β(1–40) fibrils. In contrast to previous reports, we find no evidence that procaspase-3 alone is capable of self-activation, consistent with its fate-determining role in executing apoptosis. In fact, mature caspase-3 is >107-fold more active than procaspase-3, making this proenzyme a remarkably inactive zymogen. However, we also show that fibril-induced colocalization of trace amounts of caspase-3 or other initiator proteases with procaspase-3 dramatically stimulates maturation of the proenzyme in vitro. Thus, similar to known cellular signaling complexes, these synthetic or natural fibrils can serve as platforms to concentrate procaspase-3 for trans-activation by upstream proteases.
Diversity and productivity of plant communities across the Inland Northwest, USA

No definitive explanation for the form of the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem productivity exists nor is there agreement on the mechanisms linking diversity and productivity across scales. Here, we examine changes in the form of the diversity–productivity relationship within and across the plant communities at three observational scales: plots, alliances, and physiognomic vegetation types (PVTs). Vascular plant richness data are from 4,760 20 m2 vegetation field plots. Productivity estimates in grams carbon per square meter are from annual net primary productivity (ANPP) models. Analyses with generalized linear models confirm scale dependence in the species diversity–productivity relationship. At the plot focus, the observed diversity–productivity relationship was weak. When plot data were aggregated to a focus of vegetation alliances, a hump-shaped relationship was observed. Species turnover among plots cannot explain the observed hump-shaped relationship at the alliance focus because we used mean plot richness across plots as our index of species richness for alliances and PVTs. The sorting of alliances along the productivity gradient appears to follow regional patterns of moisture availability, with alliances that occupy dry environments occurring within the increasing phase of the hump-shaped pattern, alliances that occupy mesic to hydric environments occurring near the top or in the decreasing phase of the curve, and alliances that occupy the wettest environments having the fewest species and the highest ANPP. This pattern is consistent with the intermediate productivity theory but appears to be inconsistent with the predictions of water–energy theory.
Cyclopentadienyl-nitric oxide compounds of chromium and manganese

Abstract The compound C5H5Cr(NO)2Cl has been prepared by the reaction of nitric oxide on the product of the reaction of CrCl3 with C5H5Na in tetrahydrofuran solution; it has been converted to the thiocyanate C5H5Cr(NO)2(SCN). The compound (C5H5)3,Mn2(NO)3 has been isolated from the products of the reaction of nitric oxide with manganese cyclopentadienide, (C5H5)2Mn. The properties and possible structures for the compounds are discussed. The compound C5H5Fe(CO)2I is also described.
A differential technique which is independent of initial conditions for calculating the rate constant of a second-order reaction

It has been shown that experimental errors of the initial conditions of a second-order reaction can cause erroneous results with the rate constant calculated directly from the differential or integrated rate expression. By means of a computer method, a differential technique has been developed so that precise initial reactant conditions are not necessary for calculating a second-order rate constant if continuous measurements of a single reaction variable are available. The technique has been successfully applied to the data of Kistiakowsky and Lacher on the condensation of acrolein and butadiene.
An empirical test of the functional antonymy of Semantic Differential scales

Summary An experiment was performed to test the assumption that the nominally opposite adjective pairs which comprise the scales of a Semantic Diferential (SD) are functionally opposite. The functional antonymy of 16 adjective-pair scales was evaluated by having each of these adjectives serve as a concept rated on a 10-scale SD. The adjective pairs, if functionally antonymous, should give rise to symmetrical profiles around the neutral category. Three of the 16 adjective-pair scales were found to deviate significantly from functional antonymy. The occurrence of asymmetry in these three adjective-pair scales did not appear to be due to inadequacies in the other adjective pairs serving as measuring scales. The results were discussed in terms of the general problem of the validity of the SD.
Automated depression screening in disadvantaged pregnant women in an urban obstetric clinic

Objective: A promising means of screening for depression among high-risk perinatal women involves interactive voice response (IVR) technology in which patients self-enter data into a database using a touch tone telephone. Our aim was to test the feasibility of using IVR to screen for depression among low-income, urban pregnant patients and to solicit their preferences for treatment.
Modeling of the DX center trapping effect on a HEMT using a depletion approximation

Abstract The deep donor level of the DX center in a Si doped AlGaAs High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) has a slower charge exchange rate than the shallow level, and therefore may cause an N s (2DEG density) uncertainty transient when the gate bias changes rapidly. Using a depletion approximation, we can predict the gate bias region where such N s uncertainty occurs for various device structures. An additional term has to be included in the charge control equation to account for this non-ideal effect.
An exact study of pairing fluctuations and phase diagrams in four-site Hubbard Nanoclusters

Charge-spin separation and pairing fluctuations and pseudogaps are studied using the analytical eigenvalues of the four-site Hubbard Nanoclusters with the grand canonical and canonical ensemble approaches in a multidimensional parameter space of temperature (T), magnetic field (h), on-site interaction (U), chemical potential (μ), and number of electrons (N). The electron charge energy gap, with one hole off half filling, corresponds to an excitonic particle–hole pair binding energy Δe-h > 0 at U > Uc and vanishes at a critical parameter Uc = 4.584. For U 0. In addition, for U ⩽ Uc we find an electron pair binding instability at finite temperature near N ≈ 3, which manifests a possible pairing mechanism, a precursor to superconductivity, in small clusters. The resulting phase diagram, consisting of charge and spin pseudogaps, hole pairing near 1/8th filling with hole-rich and hole-poor regions in the ensemble of Nanoclusters, closely resembles the phase diagrams in the family of doped high-Tc-cuprates.
Psychosocial and Cultural Influences on Cardiovascular Health and Quality of Life Among Hispanic Cardiac Patients in South Florida

This study examined whether psychosocial and cultural factors were related to four dimensions of cardiac-related quality of life (global, physical, emotional, and social functioning) in 120 Hispanic coronary heart disease (CHD) outpatients in south Florida. Survey data were collected on sociodemographic (age, gender, socioeconomic status), psychosocial (depression, social support), and cultural factors (acculturation, familism, fatalism), and quality of life. Medical data on CHD severity (New York Heart Association class, time since diagnosis) were obtained from patients’ clinic records. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that women and patients with more severe CHD had poorer quality of life than men or patients with less severe CHD. Psychosocial and cultural factors were associated with poorer quality of life after controlling for sociodemographic and medical variables: Depression was associated with all four quality of life dimensions (p < .001); and fatalism (p < .05) was associated with lower social functioning in women. These findings identify Hispanic subgroups with poor cardiac-related quality of life that can benefit from special outreach.
IT collaboration across institutions

Rapidly increasing demand for technology support services, and often shrinking budgetary and staff resources, create enormous challenges for information technology (IT) departments in public sector higher education. To address these difficult circumstances, the author helped develop a network of IT professionals from schools in a community college system and a research university in the same geographic region into a community of practice (CoP) that spanned the boundaries of their organizations. This collaboration allowed members from participating institutions to share knowledge and ideas relating to shared technical problems. The author also collected data about the extent to which the community developed the factors that contributed to its development and the perceived value that the other leaders and participants attributed to the endeavor.The results indicated that the group did coalesce into a CoP. The author also identified two crucial roles that aided this development: community coordinator and technology steward. Furthermore, the IT professionals who participated and the leaders from their organizations reported that developing the community was a worthwhile venture. They also reported that while the technical collaboration component was very valuable, the non-technical topics and interactions were also very beneficial.Finally, indicators also suggest that the community made progress toward self-sustainability and is likely to continue. These findings suggest that other higher education IT organizations faced with similar circumstances may be able to follow this model and achieve positive results.
Understanding the organizational structure — Job attitude relationship through perceptions of the work environment

Abstract This field study tested the relative efficacy of personal and organizational characteristics in accounting for employee job attitudes and then tested the utility of using the perceived work environment as an intervening variable that might contribute to our understanding of the relationship between the objective organizational structure characteristics and the employees' affective reactions. A primary contribution of this research was the development and utilization of a comprehensive measure of the perceived work environment. The 710 survey participants represented nearly 90% of the work force of a regional office of a large, multiline insurance company. The results of discriminant analyses indicated that employee job attitudes were related to both personal and organizational characteristics but most strongly to the organizational structure characteristics. Canonical correlation analyses, construing perceptions of the work environment as an explanatory intervening variable, indicated that the organizational structure characteristics were indeed referencing important employee organizational experiences. These experiences (assessed by employee perceptions of the work environment) were much more strongly related to characteristics of the employee's location in the organization than to his personal characteristics. The strong relationship between the work environment and employee reactions was even more directly and more powerfully demonstrated by the canonical correlations between perceptions of the work environment and job attitudes. This analysis also controlled for the alternative hypothesis of correlated method variance. It was concluded that employees in different locations in the organizational space perceived the work environment differently. Presumably, these different work environment experiences resulted in their using different frames of reference for evaluating the work situation and, therefore, differences in their attitudes. Therefore, perceived work environment can be construed as an intervening variable that can be used to understand the relationship between organizational structure characteristics and job attitudes.
The event study: An industrial strength method

Abstract Since its first use less than 25 years ago, the event study method has become a veritable research industry. Powerful computers, the emergence of vast electronic data bases and low marginal research costs made it popular in financial economics. Also, the encouragement of its use by its early originators and its consequent acceptability in the top journals of the discipline made it an instrument for would-be academic Stachanovists to build their careers. Unfortunately, as will be shown, it has not been an ideal tool of rigorous, detached scientific objectivity. The language, the structure, and the interpretation of event studies are all severely biased towards finding within the data whatever it is that one is seeking. Accordingly, much of the research using the method is misleading, if not meaningless. In this paper the significance of this method of research is scrutinized on epistemological, statistical, economic, and intellectual grounds. The opinions expressed in this paper do not reflect on the policies of IRFA . Each submitted paper is judged on its own by the review process.
Activated lymphocytes trigger lymphoblast extravasation.

Abstract Intraperitoneal stimulation of adoptively sensitized rats with bacterial antigen promotes the localization of lymphoblasts at the site of antigen deposition. Lymphoblast extravasation activity (LEA) is generated only when specifically immune donor lymphocytes and the recipients of these cells share at least on Ag-B haplotype. However, if the specificity criteria for its formation are satisfied, LEA promotes the local development of lymphoblasts of all available specificities and irrespective of their Ag-B genotype. Allogeneic lymphoblasts do not participate actively in the delayed inflammatory reaction even when they are passively recruited into exudates. The results suggest that LEA is a T cell-derived mediator that amplifies the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction by directing recently activated lymphocytes into lesions.
Does domain knowledge influence search stopping behavior

This research study investigated whether users' level of domain knowledge influenced their decision to stop information searches. Stopping behavior was investigated using a convenience sample of 15 third- and fourth-year undergraduate students at a large university. Subjects completed a series of self-assessments about background information and levels of knowledge regarding four search domains. Subjects completed search tasks in four search domains and task times were measured. Tasks were counterbalanced among subjects. Subjects completed questionnaires about search experiences and reasons for stopping and participated in exit interviews. The study results indicated: (1) No association between knowledge level and stopping behavior (task times); (2) Positive correlation between levels of domain knowledge and levels of domain interest; (3) Positive correlation between satisfaction with the search process and the retrieved results; and (4) Negative correlation between satisfaction with search results and task times.
Effects of prey movement and background on predatory behavior of chameleons

Four small populations of American chameleons (Anolis carolinensis) were tested to determine the effects on predation of movement of prey and the color of the background on which the prey is presented. Results indicated that movement of the prey was critical to elicit stalking and eating, while background coloration had only a minor influence. An observed interaction of dominance and feeding behavior in the populations was also discussed. An examination of the literature indicates that very little has been done on feeding behavior in reptiles. Hence, in this study the authors have attempted to explore possible factors that may be important in eliciting predatory or feeding behavior in the American chameleon. The existence of a well developed visual system in lizards (Matthews & Knight, 1963) led to the varying of two visual characteristics of the prey: its movement and the background context on which it is presented. METHOD The Ss were 20 male and 20 female chameleons, Anolis carolinensis. They were maintained in four separate populations each consisting of 5 males and 5 females.
Hamiltonian dynamics of orbits homoclinic to a resonance band

Abstract This paper presents an example of geometric singular perturbation theory for a Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom. In this example, small conservative perturbations yield orbits homoclinic to periodic orbits in a resonance band. The solution method for this example illustrates a new combination of the Melkinov method and geometric singular perturbation theory.
Dependence of NAO variability on coupling with sea ice

The variance of the North Atlantic Oscillation index (denoted N) is shown to depend on its coupling with area-averaged sea ice concentration anomalies in and around the Barents Sea (index denoted B). The observed form of this coupling is a negative feedback whereby positive N tends to produce negative B, which in turn forces negative N. The effects of this feedback in the system are examined by modifying the feedback in two modeling frameworks: a statistical vector autoregressive model (F VAR) and an atmospheric global climate model (F CAM) customized so that sea ice anomalies on the lower boundary are stochastic with adjustable sensitivity to the model’s evolving N. Experiments show that the variance of N decreases nearly linearly with the sensitivity of B to N, where the sensitivity is a measure of the negative feedback strength. Given that the sea ice concentration field has anomalies, the variance of N goes down as these anomalies become more sensitive to N. If the sea ice concentration anomalies are entirely absent, the variance of N is even smaller than the experiment with the most sensitive anomalies. Quantifying how the variance of N depends on the presence and sensitivity of sea ice anomalies to N has implications for the simulation of N in global climate models. In the physical system, projected changes in sea ice thickness or extent could alter the sensitivity of B to N, impacting the within-season variability and hence predictability of N.
Plasma Glutamate Concentrations in 1-Year-Old Infants and Adults Ingesting Monosodium L-Glutamate in Consommé

This study tested the hypothesis that infants metabolize glutamate more slowly than adults. Eight 1-yr-old infants ingested 160 ml of a beef consomme providing monosodium L-glutamate at 0, 25, and 50 mg/kg body weight. Plasma glutamate and aspartate concentrations were measured sequentially for the next 2 h. The results were compared to values noted in nine adult subjects ingesting equivalent doses of monosodium L-glutamate in consomme. In adults, mean (+/- SD) peak plasma glutamate concentrations were 5.59 +/- 1.56, 10.2 +/- 2.08, and 17.0 +/- 8.06 mumol/dl, respectively; the area under the plasma glutamate concentration time curves were 96 +/- 42, 257 +/- 80, and 442 +/- 303 mumol/dl X min, respectively. In infants, the mean (+/- SD) peak plasma glutamate concentrations were 6.94 +/- 1.43, 10.6 +/- 2.36, and 12.0 +/- 1.16 mumol/dl, respectively; the plasma glutamate area under the curve values were 47 +/- 28, 191 +/- 85, and 358 +/- 105 mumol/dl X min, respectively. The data indicate that the plasma glutamate concentration response in 1-yr-old infants ingesting MSG at these glutamate doses is no higher than values observed in adult subjects.
Increasing hardware data prefetching performance using the second-level cache

Techniques to reduce or tolerate large memory latencies are critical for achieving high processor performance. Hardware data prefetching is one of the most heavily studied solutions, but it is essentially applied to first-level caches where it can severely disrupt processor behavior by delaying normal cache requests, inducing cache pollution and occupying the heavily used bus to the second-level cache. In this article, we show that applying hardware data prefetching to the second level cache exhibits most of the benefits of first-level cache prefetching with almost none of its drawbacks. Moreover, we outline that second-level hardware data prefetching is particularly well suited to out-of-order (OoO) processors because it can hide the long memory latencies due to second-level cache misses while OoO execution of memory instructions can hide the lower latencies due to first-level cache misses that hit in the second-level cache. Finally, we show that when the full memory system is taken into account, especially bus traffic, first-level cache prefetching can actually degrade overall processor performance while second-level cache prefetching consistently improves overall performance. Our experimental results show that the instructions per cycle of floating-point programs (SPEC95) increases by 20% on a average using second-level cache hardware data prefetching while it decreases by 5% on a average using first-level cache hardware data prefetching.
The Inter-Dependency of Local Myocardial Metabolism and Epicardial Electrical Activity during Acute Ischemia and Reperfusion

Metabolic changes caused by the lack of adequate coronary flow lead to short and long term disturbances in local activation sequences. Our goal has been to study short term disturbances using parallel fluorescence imaging of epicardial NADH (fNADH) and transmembrane potential (TMP). METHODS: Experiments were conducted using Langendorff-perfused rat hearts while controlling the rate of flow to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Acute regional ischemia was induced by stopping flow to the LAD, followed by a period of low-flow reperfusion with subsequent full-flow reperfusion. Changes in local epicardial conduction velocities, as well as the incidence and dispersion of epicardial breakthroughs, were analyzed with the corresponding local changes of fNADH. With this approach, conduction velocities and reentrant activity could be correlated with changes in fNADH. RESULTS: Regional ischemia led to a reduction in Purkinje fiber activity within the ischemic zone. Approx 4 minutes after the initiation of ischemia, conduction velocities increased within regions with elevated fNADH. Afterward, conduction velocities in the ischemic zone declined and were lowest in the center, eventually falling to values below 20 cm/sec. Reductions in conduction velocity lagged behind elevations of fNADH, both in time and space. During regional ischemia, occasional breakthroughs occurred, most of them along the boundary between ischemic and normoxic tissue. During low-flow reperfusion, the number of breakthroughs within the ischemic zone increased dramatically as well as the incidence of ventricular fibrillation (compared to ischemia and normal flow conditions). CONCLUSIONS: The inter-dependence of local activation patterns and local myocardial metabolism makes parallel imaging of fNADH and TMP an essential tool for understanding the mechanisms of arrhythmias caused by ischemia and reperfusion.
An Et2 mass identifier for (n, charged particle) reaction measurements

Abstract An Et2 particle identifier has been developed for use with a previously described detection system. The experimental setup consists of a triple-coincidence counter telescope plus a detector for the associated alphas from the T(d, n)4 He neutron source. Significant background rejection can be achieved by recording only those events for which the charged particle flight time f is within a predetermined range Δt, but this limits the energy range ΔE of the detected particles. The energy dependence of the detection efficiency can be almost eliminated by generating gating pulses proportional to Et2α mass. For doubly charged particles the E-detector output is strongly affected by energy losses in the telescope and by the non-linear energy response of NaI(Tl). Approximate compensation for both effects can be achieved by adjusting the delay in the time channel. The design details of the Et2 circuit are presented, along with test results obtained using recoil p, d, 3He and alpha particles.
WE-C-217A-02: BEIR VII: What It Does and Doesn't Say.

Background: Over the last 2 years, there has been considerable attention focused on the potential cancer risks from medical imaging procedures, particularly with the widespread use of multislice CT. Almost all studies rely upon the BEIR VII report (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation panel formed under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences) to generate an estimate of the risk of cancer from a given procedure. In doing so, most studies treat the BEIR VII report as a solid basis of scientific evidence for estimation of cancer risk. In reality, a close reading of this report shows that there are a large number of assumptions inherent in all aspects of the estimates of cancer risk — a fact that is often and clearly stated in the report. This presentation will review some of the assumptions used by the BEIR panel to calculate cancer risk, including the impact of different models (excess absolute risk vs. excess relative risk), the dose and dose rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) and relative biological effectiveness (RBE), on cancer estimates. Often lost in the discussion on medical exposure is a reference level by which exposure levels can be compared to something that unavoidable and impacts everyone on earth — background radiation. This presentation will review the consequences of applying the BEIR model to background radiation and known variations in levels of background radiation throughout the U.S., and how the cancer rate from background compares with that from medical imaging. Learning Objectives 1. Understand the assumptions underlying the BEIR VII report 2. Be able to compare the relative risks of medical imaging procedures to that from background radiation
Modification of oligosaccharide- lipid synthesis and protein glycosylation in glucose-deprived cells

Abstract Incubation of vesicular stomatitis virus-infected glucose-starved baby hamster kidney cells with [ 35 S]methionine results in the synthesis of all viral proteins. However, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and tryptic peptide mapping, the G protein is abnormally glycosylated. Metabolic labeling of the oligosaccharide-lipid precursors with [ 3 H]mannose for 15 min, followed by Chromatographic and enzymatic analysis, indicates that the radiolabeled lipid-linked oligosaccharides are devoid of glucose in contrast to the glucosylated oligosaccharide-lipids synthesized by cells grown in the presence of glucose. Also, in contrast to control cells, examination of the glycopeptide fraction reveals the presence of [ 3 H]mannose-labeled glycopeptides which are resistant to erado -β- N -acetylglucos-aminidase H and are smaller in size than glycopeptides from mature vesicular stomatitis virus. In order to observe these effects, a minimum time of 5 h of glucose deprivation is necessary and the addition of 55 μ m glucose or mannose to the medium reverses these effects. These results indicate that vesicular stomatitis virus-infected BHK cells deprived of glucose are unable to glucosylate the oligosaccharide-lipid intermediates and, consequently, are unable to glycosylate the G protein normally.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 regulates expression of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related transcription factor-1 (Nrf1) and inhibits pro-survival function of Nrf1.

Abstract Nuclear factor E2-related factor-1 (Nrf1) is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor that is known to regulate antioxidant and cytoprotective gene expression. It was recently shown that Nrf1 is regulated by SCF–Fbw7 ubiquitin ligase. However our knowledge of upstream signals that targets Nrf1 for degradation by the UPS is not known. We report here that Nrf1 expression is negatively regulated by glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in Fbw7-dependent manner. We show that GSK3 interacts with Nrf1 and phosphorylates the Cdc4 phosphodegron domain (CPD) in Nrf1. Mutation of serine residue in the CPD of Nrf1 to alanine (S350A), blocks Nrf1 from phosphorylation by GSK3, and stabilizes Nrf1. Knockdown of Nrf1 and expression of a constitutively active form of GSK3 results in increased apoptosis in neuronal cells in response to ER stress, while expression of the GSK3 phosphorylation resistant S350A–Nrf1 attenuates apoptotic cell death. Together these data suggest that GSK3 regulates Nrf1 expression and cell survival function in response to stress activation.
Bayesian integration of visual and auditory signals for spatial localization

Human observers localize events in the world by using sensory signals from multiple modalities. We evaluated two theories of spatial localization that predict how visual and auditory information are weighted when these signals specify different locations in space. According to one theory (visual capture), the signal that is typically most reliable dominates in a winner-take-all competition, whereas the other theory (maximumlikelihood estimation) proposes that perceptual judgments are based on a weighted average of the sensory signals in proportion to each signal’s relative reliability. Our results indicate that both theories are partially correct, in that relative signal reliability significantly altered judgments of spatial location, but these judgments were also characterized by an overall bias to rely on visual over auditory information. These results have important implications for the development of cue integration and for neural plasticity in the adult brain that enables humans to optimally integrate multimodal information. © 2003 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 330.0330, 330.1400, 330.4060, 330.7320.
Estrogen receptor-like macromolecule in MtTW15 rat pituitary tumors: effects of antiestrogens.

Abstract To understand how estradiol-17β (E2) influences MtTW15 rat pituitary tumor function, we have evaluated the cytosolic E2 binding properties of tumors derived from control and steroid treated host animals. Specific E2 binding (approximately 3 pmoles/g tumor) was observed in all groups and was steroid responsive. The E2 binding macromolecule migrated to 7S following sucrose density gradient sedimentation and was specific for estrogenic steroids. Saturation analysis of E2 binding revealed a high affinity interaction ( K d = 5.5 ± 0.5 × 10 −10 M ). Furthermore, E2 binding was temperature-sensitive and degraded by trypsin. Thus, the MtTW15 tumor contains an estrogen receptor. Accordingly, the effects of 4 antiestrogenic drugs on tumor estrogen-receptor levels, tumor growth and hormone production were evaluated. In general, these drugs reduced cytosolic estrogen receptor levels, promoted tumor growth and increased tumor growth-hormone production. It is suggested that these compounds can exert both estrogen agonist and antagonist properties in MtTW15 tumors.
Salicylic Acid Induces Rapid Inhibition of Mitochondrial Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation in Tobacco Cells

Salicylic acid (SA) is known to induce alternative pathway respiration by activating expression of the alternative oxidase gene. In the present study we report a rapid mode of action by SA on plant mitochondrial functions. SA at concentrations as low as 20 μm induced inhibition of both ATP synthesis and respiratory O2 uptake within minutes of incubation in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cell cultures. Biologically active SA analogs capable of inducing pathogenesis-related genes and enhanced resistance also caused rapid inhibition of ATP synthesis and respiratory O2 uptake, whereas biologically inactive analogs did not. Inhibition of ATP synthesis and respiratory O2 uptake by SA was insensitive to the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, but was substantially reduced by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, suggesting a possible role for reactive oxygen species in the inhibition of mitochondrial functions. With exogenous NADH as the respiratory substrate, mitochondria isolated from SA-treated tobacco cell cultures were found to have normal capacities for both ATP synthesis and respiratory O2 uptake; direct incubation of isolated mitochondria with SA had no significant effect on these mitochondrial functions. These results indicate that (a) the respiration capacities of isolated mitochondria do not correspond to the in vivo respiration activities in SA-treated cell cultures and (b) the SA-induced inhibition of respiration in tobacco cell cultures may involve other components that are not present in isolated mitochondria. Given the recently demonstrated roles of mitochondria in plant disease resistance and animal apoptosis, this rapid inhibition by SA of mitochondrial functions may play a role in SA-mediated biological processes, including plant defense responses.
Moist Wound Healing with Occlusive Dressings: A Clinical Focus

The concept of moist wound healing, which is facilitated by the application of occlusive dressings, dates back to 1615 BC, and the technique is currently supported by a relatively large volume of data. It is clear that occlusive dressings are in many cases associated with more rapid reepithelialization, a reduced risk of infection, and more rapid wound healing than the alternatives. Nevertheless, many clinicians have been slow to accept this therapeutic technique. This article traces the history of moist wound healing from its earliest inception, examines the theoretical mechanisms of its effect, and explores its advantages and disadvantages. It also reviews the literature supporting the use of occlusive dressings in a variety of wound settings and examines the possible reasons behind the apparent reluctance on the part of the medical community to accept a potentially valuable therapy.
Incidence of symptomatic hemorrhage after stereotactic electrode placement

Object Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is the most significant complication associated with the placement of stereotactic intracerebral electrodes. Previous reports have suggested that hypertension and the use of microelectrode recording (MER) are risk factors for cerebral hemorrhage. The authors evaluated the incidence of symptomatic ICH in a large cohort of patients with various diseases treated with stereotactic electrode placement. They examined the effect of comorbidities on the risk of ICH and independently assessed the risks associated with age, sex, use of MER, diagnosis, target location, hypertension, and previous use of anticoagulant medications. The authors also evaluated the effect of hemorrhage on length of hospital stay and discharge disposition. Methods Between 1991 and 2005, 567 electrodes were placed by two neurosurgeons during 337 procedures in 259 patients. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) was performed in 167 procedures, radiofrequency lesioning (RFL) of subcortical structures in 74, and dep...
Modeling Energy Use and Emissions from North American Shipping: Application of the Ship Traffic, Energy, and Environment Model

The waterway network ship traffic, energy, and environment model (STEEM) is applied to geographically characterize energy use and emissions for interport ship movement for North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. STEEM advances existing approaches by (i) estimating emissions for large regions on the basis of nearly complete data describing historical ship movements, attributes, and operating profiles of individual ships, (ii) solving distances on an empirical waterway network for each pair of ports considering ship draft and width constraints, and (iii) allocating emissions on the basis of the most probable routes. We estimate that the 172 000 ship voyages to and from North American ports in 2002 consumed about 47 million metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil and emitted about 2.4 million metric tonnes of SO2. Comparison with port and regional studies shows good agreement in total estimates and better spatial precision than current top-down methods. In quantifying limitations of top-down ...
Corticotropin-releasing hormone is a rapid and potent convulsant in the infant rat

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) administered into the cerebral ventricles of rats during the first postnatal week caused a specific and stereotyped behavior sequence: rhythmic chewing and licking (jaw myoclonus) were followed by 'limbic'-type seizures. The onset of the seizures was much more rapid (2-45 min vs 3-7 h) than in adult rats, and the convulsant doses were much lower (50 x 10(-12) mol per gram brain weight vs 750 x 10(-12) mol per gram brain weight in adults). CRH potency in inducing seizures varied inversely with age. CRH-induced seizures occurred prior to any changes in serum corticosterone, and were eliminated by the administration of a CRH antagonist, as well as of phenytoin. Electrocorticographic correlates of CRH-induced behaviors in the infant rat were inconsistent, suggesting a subcortical origin of CRH-induced paroxysmal events in the immature brain.
Stimulation and regulation of human IgE production in vitro using peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Abstract The ability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL) to produce IgE in vitro was examined. The amount of IgE produced was quantitated using a solid-phase double-antibody radioimmunoassay. While cultures of PBL synthesized IgE without pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation (mean 871 pg per culture), the addition of PWM enhanced IgE synthesis in all cultures from 125 to greater than 617% (mean 2502 pg per culture). IgE was first detectable in culture between Days 3 and 4 and steadily increased thereafter up to Day 7. That this was in vitro synthesized IgE and not cytophilic IgE carried over into the cultures was demonstrated by the fact that IgE production was completely inhibited by addition of cycloheximide to the cultures or irradiation of the B cells. This B-lymphocyte IgE production was dependent on the presence of T lymphocytes. However, in contrast to IgG and IgM, high T B -cell ratios in culture only modestly inhibited IgE production. Irradiated T lymphocytes provided helper function without suppression of IgE at high T B -cell ratios. This effect of high numbers of irradiated T lymphocytes on IgE synthesis was distinguishable from their effect on IgG and IgM. There was no correlation between the amount of IgE produced in vitro and the individual's serum IgE level, nor was there a direct relationship between the amounts of IgE, IgG, or IgM produced within the cultures.
Strain-specific and tissue-specific expression of mouse mast cell secretory granule proteases

Abstract As assessed by RNA blot analyses with gene-specific probes, we report that the perivascular connective tissue mast cells (CTMCs) in the ear and skin of BALB/cJ mice contain abundant levels of the mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) 7 transcript, in addition to those protease transcripts present in their serosal mast cells (SMCs). High levels of the mMCP-7 transcript also were detected in the ears of WBB6F1/J(-)+/+, WCB6F1/J(-)+/+, WB/ReJ(-)+/+, and WC/ReJ(-)+/+ mice. However, the ears of these four strains and the SMCs from the WCB6F1/J(-)+/+ strain but not the BALB/cJ strain also contained high steady-state levels of the mMCP-2 transcript. The mMCP-2, mMCP-4, mMCP-5, mMCP-6, and mMCP-7 transcripts were not detected in the ears of mast-cell-deficient WBB6F1/J-W/Wv and WCB6F1/J-Sl/Sld mice, indicating that mast cells were the source of these protease transcripts in the +/+ animals. When immunohistochemical analyses of serial sections of ear and skin from WBB6F1/J(-)+/+ mice were performed with anti-mMCP-2 IgG and anti-mMCP-5 IgG, the perivascular CTMCs in these tissues were found to express both mMCP-2 and mMCP-5 in their granules. The prominent expression of mMCP-7 in constitutive perivascular CTMCs indicates that this mast cell has an extended protease phenotype relative to the SMCs of the same strains. Further, the perivascular CTMCs and SMCs of the +/+ strains differ from those in BALB/cJ mice in their prominent expression of mMCP-2.
Cardiovascular responses of the toad Bufo marinus to thermal stress and water deprivation

Abstract 1. 1. Toads ( Bufo marinus ) heated under conditions in which much water was lost from the skin (low water vapor pressure, WVP) had higher heart rates than those heated under conditions of less severe dehydration (high WVP or oil-covered). 2. 2. The integuments of toads in which elevated heart rates were precluded by pithing, dehydrated when the toads were heated under low WVP conditions. 3. 3. It is hypothesized that elevated heart rates reflect increased peripheral circulation which facilitates the replacement of water in the skin. 4. 4. Water loss rates of animals having different heart rates were different within a single vapor pressure environment suggesting that vapor pressure deficit is not the sole determinant of water loss in toads. 5. 5. Intact animals, having higher heart rates than pithed toads, heated more rapidly than pithed toads indicating that circulation can affect heat exchange in amphibians.
Progress in the thermal sciences: AIChE Institute Lecture

Rather than merely surveying progress in the prediction of heat transfer over the past half century, attention is focused on the factors that have led to significant advances in understanding and practice. An almost one-to-one correspondence is demonstrated between advances in heat transfer and those in computer hardware and software. However, the development of specialized algorithms for flow and heat transfer by individual investigators appears in most cases to be an essential ingredient. Direct contributions of experimentation are relatively minor, but the synergy of combined experimentation and numerical analysis is most often the key to discovery and innovation. A quiet revolution has occurred in the form of correlative equations, and the primary and almost sole contribution of closed-form analysis has been the derivation of asymptotes for that purpose. Finally, progress in heat transfer has occurred primarily in discrete steps, and most often as a consequence of exploratory research and/or the observation and pursuit of the explanation for an anomaly.
Response of a Doped Mott Insulator to a Local Charge: Implications for Muon Spin Resonance

A charged impurity (such as a muon) in a metal induces a charge inhomogeneity which screens the electric ﬁeld of the impurity and may also cause the spin ﬂuctuation spectrum near the impurity to differ from that of thebulk. Doped Mott insulators (such as the high Tc copper-oxide superconductors are believed to be) present a particularly delicate case: the Mott correlations suppress the charge response, but also increasethe sensitivityof magnetic propertiesto changesinthe charge density. Here we summarize the implications of recent dynamical mean ﬁeld calculations for this physics.