cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recruitment of Neuronal KCNQ2/3 Channels to Membrane Microdomains Depends on Palmitoylation of Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Protein BACE1

β-secretase 1 (β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1, BACE1) plays a crucial role in the amyloidogenesis of Alzheimer′s Disease (AD). BACE1 was also discovered to act like an auxiliary subunit to modulate neuronal KCNQ2/3 channels independent of its proteolytic function. BACE1 is palmitoylated at its carboxyl-terminal region, which brings BACE1 to ordered, cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains (rafts). However, the physiological consequences of this specific localization of BACE1 remain elusive. Using spectral Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), we confirmed BACE1 and KCNQ2/3 channels formed a signaling complex, a phenomenon that was relatively unaffected by the palmitoylation of BACE1. Nevertheless, palmitoylation of BACE1 was required for the recruitment of KCNQ2/3 channels to lipid-raft domains. Mutating the four carboxyl-terminal cysteines (4C/A) of BACE1 abolished the BACE1-dependent increase of FRET between KCNQ2/3 and a lipid raft-specific protein Caveolin1. Furthermore, we used two fluorescent probes, named L10 and S15, to label lipid rafts and non-raft domains of the plasma membrane respectively. Coexpressing BACE1 substantially elevated the FRET between L10 and KCNQ2/3 whereas BACE1-4C/A failed to produce this effect. In contrast, BACE1 had no significant effect on the FRET between S15 probes and KCNQ2/3 channels. In addition, the reduction of BACE1-dependent FRET between raft-targeting L10 probes and KCNQ2/3 channels by applying cholesterol-extracting reagent methyl-β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), raft-disrupting general anesthetics, and pharmacological inhibitors of palmitoylation all supported our hypothesis of the palmitoylation-dependent and raft-specific localization of KCNQ2/3 channels. Collectively, we provide a mechanism underlying how the localization of a neuronal potassium channel is controlled by AD-related protein BACE1.
Screen Time, Social Media Use, and Adolescent Development

Adolescents spend much of their daily lives online, and fears abound that digital technology use, and social media in particular, is harming their social and emotional development. Findings to date...
AN EMPIRICAL DETERMINATION OF THE INTERGALACTIC BACKGROUND LIGHT USING NEAR-INFRARED DEEP GALAXY SURVEY DATA OUT TO 5 μm AND THE GAMMA-RAY OPACITY OF THE UNIVERSE

We extend our previous model-independent determination of the intergalactic background light, based purely on galaxy survey data, out to a wavelength of 5 micrometers. Our approach enables us to constrain the range of photon densities, based on the uncertainties from observationally determined luminosity densities and colors. We further determine a 68% confidence upper and lower limit on the opacity of the universe to gamma-rays up to energies of 1.6/(1 + z) terraelectron volts. A comparison of our lower limit redshift-dependent opacity curves to the opacity limits derived from the results of both ground-based air Cerenkov telescope and Fermi-LAT observations of PKS 1424+240 allows us to place a new upper limit on the redshift of this source, independent of IBL modeling.
Development of EGR Valve Model and Flow Analysis for Different Valve Seat Position

A Debilitate Gas Recirculation Valve complements the execution and economic system of a car while diminishing release by using coordinating cripple gasses once more into the barrels of the vehicle for a second consume. (The valve decreases N2O release and coordinates the hotter weaken over into the motor, diminishing the degree of work required via the gas and air combination in assist the motor at running temperature). The unpredictability of valve is subjected to streaming liquid in which its interior introduction studies from open to shut function. The geometry of valve is built using the base up manner to cope with create 3 dimensional CAD display using draws in ANSYS Work Bench. The geometry of valve is bended nature wherein circulate takes sharp swings prompting severe turbulent changes whose ensuing impacts for fundamental misshapening. To realize the circulate examination within the valve, numerical recreations may be pointed utilising computational liquid elements methods. The model produced can be transported in into paintings module in ANSYS programming for era of CFD work with the distinctive kinds of components. The work will be applied as part of circulate solver and with the advocated circulation/warm conditions, maintenance situations are iterated to get fruitful association. After effective reproduction and perception of flow and weight circulation, the valve inward is repositioned incrementally and circulation investigation rehashed. It is regular that the effects received from the examination will body sound cause for destiny examinations including multi cloth technological know-how.
Micro-holograms recorded in a new thermoplastic medium for holographic data storage

ABSTRACT This paper updates the recent progress in the micro- holographic format data recorded in our second-generation dye-doped thermoplastic medium. This new medium is about 400 times more sensitive than our first generation material, while our single-bit system needs less than 2.3 milliseconds to write a micro-hologram. The characteristics of micro-holograms record ed in the high sensitivity material are presented and compared to earlier results from the first-generation low-sensitivity material. Keywords: holographic material, dye-doped thermoplastic medium, micro-hologram format, M/#, and material sensitivity 1. INTRODUCTION Holographic data storage is one of the most promising technologies for future generations of optical data storage. While todays optical data storage techniques are based on surface recording, holographic techniques take advantage of the third dimension (depth) by recording information in the form of volumetric gratings inside the entire volume of the recording media. Potentially, a CD-size holographic disc can store over 200 gigabytes of content. Most demonstrations of holographic storage use a page-based approach and a photopolymer medium.
Monte Carlo Methods for Electromagnetics

Introduction Why Monte Carlo? Historical Background Applications of MCMs Review of Electromagnetic Theory Probability and Statistics Generation of Random Numbers Statistical Tests of Pseudorandom Numbers Generation of Random Variates Generation of Continuous Random Variates Evaluation of Error Summary Finite Difference Method Finite Differences Finite Differencing of Parabolic PDEs Finite Differencing of Hyperbolic PDEs Finite Differencing of Elliptic PDEs Accuracy and Stability of Finite Difference Solutions Maxwell's Equations Summary Fixed Random Walk Introduction Solution of Laplace's Equation Solution of Poisson's Equation Solution of Axisymmetric Problems Summary Floating Random Walk Introduction Rectangular Solution Regions Axisymmetric Solution Regions Summary The Exodus Method Solution of Laplace's Equation Solution of Poisson's Equation Summary Neumann Problems Governing Equations Triangular Mesh Method Computing Procedure Summary Whole Field Computation Introduction Regular Monte Carlo Method Absorbing Markov Chains Summary Time-Varying Problems Introduction Diffusion Equation Rectangular Solution Region Cylindrical Solution Region Summary Scattering from Random Rough Surfaces Introduction Scattering of by 1-D Random Rough Surfaces Scattering of by 2-D Random Rough Surfaces Summary Multidimensional Integration Introduction Crude Monte Carlo Integration Monte Carlo Integration with Antithetic Variates Improper Integrals Summary References and Problems appear at the end of each chapter.
Single particle tomography in EMAN2

Single particle tomography (SPT or subtomogram averaging) offers a powerful alternative to traditional 2-D single particle reconstruction for studying conformationally or compositionally heterogeneous macromolecules. It can also provide direct observation (without labeling or staining) of complexes inside cells at nanometer resolution. The development of computational methods and tools for SPT remains an area of active research. Here we present the EMAN2.1 SPT toolbox, which offers a full SPT processing pipeline, from particle picking to post-alignment analysis of subtomogram averages, automating most steps. Different algorithm combinations can be applied at each step, providing versatility and allowing for procedural cross-testing and specimen-specific strategies. Alignment methods include all-vs-all, binary tree, iterative single-model refinement, multiple-model refinement, and self-symmetry alignment. An efficient angular search, Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) acceleration and both threaded and distributed parallelism are provided to speed up processing. Finally, automated simulations, per particle reconstruction of subtiltseries, and per-particle Contrast Transfer Function (CTF) correction have been implemented. Processing examples using both real and simulated data are shown for several structures.
Structural Insights into the Affinity of Cel7A Carbohydrate-binding Module for Lignin

The high cost of hydrolytic enzymes impedes the commercial production of lignocellulosic biofuels. High enzyme loadings are required in part due to their non-productive adsorption to lignin, a major component of biomass. Despite numerous studies documenting cellulase adsorption to lignin, few attempts have been made to engineer enzymes to reduce lignin binding. In this work, we used alanine-scanning mutagenesis to elucidate the structural basis for the lignin affinity of Trichoderma reesei Cel7A carbohydrate binding module (CBM). T. reesei Cel7A CBM mutants were produced with a Talaromyces emersonii Cel7A catalytic domain and screened for their binding to cellulose and lignin. Mutation of aromatic and polar residues on the planar face of the CBM greatly decreased binding to both cellulose and lignin, supporting the hypothesis that the cellulose-binding face is also responsible for lignin affinity. Cellulose and lignin affinity of the 31 mutants were highly correlated, although several mutants displayed selective reductions in lignin or cellulose affinity. Four mutants with increased cellulose selectivity (Q2A, H4A, V18A, and P30A) did not exhibit improved hydrolysis of cellulose in the presence of lignin. Further reduction in lignin affinity while maintaining a high level of cellulose affinity is thus necessary to generate an enzyme with improved hydrolysis capability. This work provides insights into the structural underpinnings of lignin affinity, identifies residues amenable to mutation without compromising cellulose affinity, and informs engineering strategies for family one CBMs.
A Shot of Morality? Hispanic Immigration, Religious Contextual Characteristics, and Violence

Extant research often finds that the relative size of the Hispanic immigrant population is inversely associated with rates of crime at the macro level. Yet, few studies have empirically examined the indirect pathways through which Hispanic immigration might impact crime, especially sociocultural characteristics such as religious context. Utilizing data on known violent crimes from over 600 U.S. counties in 2010 paired with religious contextual data from the Religious Congregation and Membership Survey (RCMS), we observe that the presence of Hispanic immigrants is positively associated with community-level Catholic adherence, civically engaged religious adherence, and religious homogeneity that, in turn, are negatively associated with violent crime. Overall, religious contextual characteristics appear to significantly mediate the link between Hispanic immigration and violence at the macro level. Implications for the immigration-crime literature and broader macro-structural research are discussed.
Advancements in Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Biomolecules on Graphical Processing Units

Abstract Over the past few years competition within the computer game market coupled with the emergence of application programming interfaces to support general purpose computation on graphics processing units (GPUs) has led to an explosion in the use of GPUs for acceleration of scientific applications. Here we explore the use of GPUs within the context of condensed phase molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We discuss the algorithmic differences that the GPU architecture imposes on MD codes, an overview of the challenges involved in using GPUs for MD, followed by a critical survey of contemporary MD simulation packages that are attempting to utilize GPUs. Finally we discuss the possible outlook for this field.
Vitamin A and the immune system

Abstract: Vitamin A is required in the diet of all vertebrates, and is metabolized intracellularly to retinoic acid (RA), which is well known as a regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation. RA activates nuclear retinoid receptors and regulates a wide variety of genes. This chapter first discusses vitamin A nutrition and metabolism, and then how inflammation affects the metabolism of vitamin A compounds. Clinically, RA and several analogs are used in the treatment of skin disorders. Vitamin A deficiency is a risk factor for infectious disease. This chapter discusses the role of vitamin A in the immune system, especially in the regulation of T cell differentiation and in innate immunity.
Low-Frequency Angular Broadening and Diffuse Interstellar Plasma Turbulence

A low-frequency radio interferometer is potentially a powerful tool for studies of diffuse plasma turbulence. The scattering angular size of a source due to interstellar scattering is proportional to the square of the observing wavelength. Synchrotron self-absorption, an intrinsic mechanism for making a source larger at lower frequencies, produces an angular size proportional to the first power of the wavelength. Thus, observations at a longer wavelength will always be more sensitive to scattering than observations at higher frequencies. In this article we consider in detail two issues. (1) The effect of turbulence in the interplanetary medium is considered. We conclude that interplanetary scattering will limit the effective sensitivity of a low-frequency interferometer to far above its theoretical value. Any serious design considerations for a low-frequency, space-borne interferometer must include a detailed investigation of the effect of the interplanetary medium. (2) If the limitations imposed by the interplanetary medium can be overcome, a low-frequency interferometer could be used to search for turbulence near supernova remnants. Such turbulence has been hypothesized to play an important role in the acceleration of the cosmic rays, and observational evidence for its existence would be a major accomplishment. Finally, we discuss a couple of additional, more minor topics which could be addressed with such an instrument, such as studies to verify if the low-frequency variability of extragalactic radio sources is a scintillation phenomenon.
Sex on the brain

Reports of morphological differences between the brains of humans with different sexual orientation1 or gender identity2 have furthered speculation that such behaviours may result from hormonal or genetic influences on the developing brain. However, the causal chain may be reversed; sexual behaviour in adulthood may have caused the morphological differences. I report how adult sexual experience alters the appearance of rat motor neurons as revealed by Nissl staining, the same technique used in post-mortem human studies.
Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms and the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients Undergoing Resection Versus Observation.

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN) and compare rates of new/progressive DM between IPMN patients undergoing pancreatectomy versus observation. Patients diagnosed with IPMN were identified from institutional databases, divided into two groups based on treatment type, pancreatectomy versus clinical observation, and subsequently evaluated. Standard demographic and clinicopathologic variables, fasting glucose, diabetic status, and pancreatic volume data, were obtained and compared between groups. One hundred thirty-four IPMN patients were identified; 103 (77 %) underwent pancreatectomy and 31 (23 %) were observed. Baseline DM rate was 18 % (24/134). This was not different between groups [17 % (17/103) resected vs. 23 % (7/31) observed, p = 0.51]. Median follow-up was 53 months and new/progressive DM occurred in 37 (28 %) patients with no difference between groups [29 (28 %) resected vs. 8 (26 %) observed, p = 0.74]. Among resected patients, degree of dysplasia was associated with increase risk of new/progressive DM [moderate dysplasia OR 5.76 (1.24–26.79) and severe dysplasia OR 9.43 (1.54–57.74), p = 0.04], while procedure type and remnant volume were not. The incidence and prevalence of DM among patients with IPMN was high and did not differ between resected and observed groups. Degree of dysplasia, not the amount of resected pancreas, was associated with increased risk of DM, suggesting that the presence or development of DM may be a marker of malignant progression. Confirmatory studies are required.
Deep linear coding for fast graph clustering

Clustering has been one of the most critical unsupervised learning techniques that has been widely applied in data mining problems. As one of its branches, graph clustering enjoys its popularity due to its appealing performance and strong theoretical supports. However, the eigen-decomposition problems involved are computationally expensive. In this paper, we propose a deep structure with a linear coder as the building block for fast graph clustering, called Deep Linear Coding (DLC). Different from conventional coding schemes, we jointly learn the feature transform function and discriminative codings, and guarantee that the learned codes are robust in spite of local distortions. In addition, we use the proposed linear coders as the building blocks to formulate a deep structure to further refine features in a layerwise fashion. Extensive experiments on clustering tasks demonstrate that our method performs well in terms of both time complexity and clustering accuracy. On a large-scale benchmark dataset (580K), our method runs 1500 times faster than the original spectral clustering.
Schroedinger representation of non-Abelian quantum gauge theory

A representation of Schwinger's radiation-gauge quantization of the gauge-field equations is developed. The transverse potential is represented by real-valued numerical functions and the momentum operator conjugate to the potential is represented by a nonlocal functional derivative operator. The Schrodinger equation for the time evolution of physical states follows immediately. It is shown, without the aid of Faddeev-Popov factorization, that the transverse potential and conjugate-momentum operator are self-adjoint if the inner product of physical states contains the DeWitt-Faddeev-Popov weight. It follows that the energy-momentum tensor density is self-adjoint. The unitarity of the operator theory with respect to the weighted inner product is thereby formally established independently of perturbation methods. The system of strong operator equations in the Schrodinger picture and the Heisenberg picture are shown to be a particular realization of Loos's Fermi-type operator theory. The analysis given here makes use of the gauge-invariant operator formulation of the Yang-Mills theory, in which the physical potential and conjugate-momentum operators are nonlocal, gauge-invariant, path-independent functionals of the local canonical variables. (AIP)
The ethics of business intelligence

A review of the strategic management, policy, information management, and the marketing literature reveals that many large and medium sized companies now collect and use business intelligence. The number of firms engaging in these activities is increasing rapidly. While the “whys” and “hows” of this practice have been discussed in the academic and professional literature, the ethics of intelligence gathering have not been adequately discussed in a public forum. This paper is intended to generate discussion by advancing criteria which could be used as the basis for judging actions of those involved in business intelligence and for creating reasonable policies in this sensitive area of practice.
Temporal quantification of oxygen saturation ranges: an effort to reduce hyperoxia in the neonatal intensive care unit

To reduce exposure to hyperoxia and its associated morbidities in preterm neonates. A multidisciplinary group was established to evaluate oxygen exposure in our neonatal intensive care unit. Infants were assigned target saturation ranges and signal extraction technology implemented to temporally quantify achievement of these ranges. The outcomes bronchopulmonary dysplasia/death, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)/death, severe ROP and ROP requiring surgery were compared in a pre- versus post-intervention evaluation using multivariate analyses. A total of 304 very low birth weight pre-initiative infants were compared with 396 post-initiative infants. Multivariate analyses revealed decreased odds of severe ROP (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24–0.72) and ROP requiring surgery (adjusted OR 0.31; 95% CI: 0.17–0.59) post-initiative. No differences in death were observed. Significant reductions in severe ROP and ROP requiring surgery were observed after staff education and implementation of new technology to quantify success in achieving targeted saturations and reinforce principles and practices.
Multinucleation in normally fertilized embryos is associated with an accelerated ovulation induction response and lower implantation and pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

Abstract Objective: To determine if multinucleation in normally fertilized embryos is indicative of poor developmental or clinical pregnancy prognosis and to examine the ovulation induction characteristics associated with multinucleation. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: A tertiary care institution. Patient(s): Patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles (exclusive of other assisted reproductive technologies). Main Outcome Measure(s): Cycles in which embryos had at least 1 multinucleated blastomere were compared with cycles in which all blastomeres exhibited no nucleus or a single nucleus (control). Result(s): When >50% of transferred embryos contained multinucleated blastomeres there was a significant reduction in implantation (3.4% vs. 14.7%), clinical pregnancy (9.1% vs. 29.1%), and live birth rates (7.5% vs. 27.6%) when compared with transfers of control embryos. In conjunction with this finding, multinucleate cycles had higher E 2 levels and more follicles on the day of hCG administration, a higher number of oocytes retrieved, a higher fertilization rate, and more embryos transferred per patient than did the cycles that produced control embryos. When multinucleated embryos were present, but not transferred, the developmental capacity of the sibling embryo was reduced. Conclusion(s): The evaluation of nuclear status using simple light microscopy is predictive of embryo developmental capacity and should be included in the embryo scoring system. The presence of multinucleated blastomeres in normally fertilized embryos is associated with a more effusive response to gonadotropin therapy and is indicative of a poor developmental outcome and lower clinical pregnancy rates.
Long-term unemployment: Effects and counseling interventions

The authors provide an overview of the psychosocial impact of unemployment. Case studies, based on interviews with the long-term unemployed during 1988 and 1989 are presented to highlight the Personal Employment Identity Model. The PEIM is a service delivery paradigm designed to assist counselors when working with the unemployed. It utilizes an individuals's ego identity in relation to their self identification with their previous work role to recommend interventions. Interventions will vary according to the inherent and expressed needs of the individual on the continuum of the Personal Employment Identity Model.
Age-related hearing loss: Current research

Purpose of reviewSignificant changes in population demographics with respect to age have taken place, and this pattern is expected to continue. The aging of the population underscores the importance of finding ways to improve the quality of life of the elderly. Most of the elderly population, howeve
ENTHALPY OF URANIUM DIOXIDE AND SAPPHIRE TO 1500 K BY DROP CALORIMETRY.

Abstract A high-precision drop calorimetric system has been used to measure the enthalpy of UO2 and National Bureau of Standards sapphire in the temperature range 500 to 1500 K, relative to 298.15 K. All temperatures are based on IPTS-48. The UO2 results can be represented by the equation: H°(T) − H°(298.15 K) = {19.7614( T K ) + 5.49053 × 10 −4 ( T K ) 2 + 6.96890 × 10 6 ( T K ) −1 − 7951.68} cal mol −1 Values of Cpo, Ho(T) − Ho(298.15 K), So, and {G o − H o (298.15 K )} T are tabulated. The sapphire results can be represented by the equation: H°(T) − H°(298.15 K) = {27.6002( T K ) + 1.61393 × 10 −3 ( T K ) 2 + 9.65836 × 10 5 ( T K ) −1 − 11554.31} cal mol −1
Recent studies of simultaneous ionization and charge transfer in helium ion-atom collisions

Abstract In our laboratory, we are interested in ionization of atomic and molecular targets induced by light ion impact. Generally these collisions are studied by monitoring the ejected electron spectra with the assumption that each ionizing event leads to a single secondary electron. By measuring the target ionization charge states produced by directly ionizing and charge changing collisions, we have obtained cross sections for direct ionization, pure charge transfer, and charge transfer plus ionization thus making it possible to distinguish how target ionization occurs. It was found that charge transfer plus ionization can sometimes be more probable than pure charge transfer alone. This is important because one mechanism which has until recently been disregarded as a means of producing free electrons is the possibility of capturing an electron from the target and simultaneously ionizing one or more target electrons. For ion impact velocities comparable to, or less than, the outer shell bound electron velocities, we have found that charge transfer plus ionization can be a substantial, if not principal, means of producing free electrons.
Potential effects of a major navigation project (Paraguay–Paraná Hidrovía) on inundation in the Pantanal floodplains

The Pantanal wetland of Brazil, a vast complex of seasonally inundated floodplains along the Paraguay River, is renowned for its outstanding biological resources. A proposed navigation project known as the Paraguay–Parana Waterway (or Hidrovia) would deepen the Paraguay River channel to facilitate year-round navigation through the Pantanal. The possibility of decreases in river levels (stage) has aroused concerns in relation to the potential environmental impacts, however the poor understanding of the hydrological relationships between rivers and floodplains has hampered evaluation of these impacts. The present study evaluates the potential impact of river modifications on adjacent floodplains by examining the relationship between the Paraguay River stage and the extent of floodplain inundation. Satellite observations of flooded area (from passive microwave emission; monthly data for 1979–1987) are plotted against river stage from several stations throughout the region to show the stage–inundation relationships for eight subregions along the Paraguay River. Scenarios in which the Paraguay River stage is decreased from the 20th and 80th percentile values reveal large potential impacts on inundation. For stage decreases of 0.10 and 0.25 m, the total flooded area is reduced by 1430 and 3830 km2 at low-water, and by 2410 and 5790 km2 at high-water, respectively. The floodplains of the two northernmost subregions appear to be most susceptible to reductions in flooding, losing more than half of their flooded area with a 0.25-m decrease in the low-water stage. The ecological impacts of these reductions in flooded area may be particularly severe at low water, when the few areas that typically remain flooded throughout the dry season serve as important refuges for aquatic animals. These results underscore the need for better understanding of the hydrology of the integrated river floodplain systems in the Pantanal before river channel modifications are carried out. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobilization of adsorbed cadmium and lead in aquifer material by bacterial extracellular polymers

The mobility of cationic trace metals, such as Pb and Cd, in porous media can be severely limited by their adsorption at the solid/solution interface. The transport of metals can be enhanced by complexation with a ligand of “carrier” that (i) is soluble in water and does not strongly sorb to surfaces, (ii) has a high metal binding affinity and (iii) is not readily altered in soil by chemical or biological reactions. Extracellular polymers of bacterial origin are plausible carriers for metals in soil or aquifer systems. Bacterial extracellular polymers occur naturally in groundwaters and some have well established metal binding properties. In this study, extracellular polymers from 13 bacterial strains, including five subsurface isolates, were screened for their ability to mobilize Pb and Cd adsorbed to an aquifer sand. Batch adsorption isotherms were employed to screen polymers for their effect on metal phase distribution. All of the extracellular polymers tested reduced the linear distribution coeffients of Cd and Pb. Reductions in metal adsorption by over 90% were achieved at an extracellular polymer concentration of 10.6 mg l−1 The sorption isotherm of a selected extracellular polymer indicated that it had a low affinity for the sand sorbent and suggested that the polymer would be mobile in the porous sand medium. The distribution coefficient of the polymer for the sand was not effected by the presence Cd at low concentrations. Independently determined distribution constants for Cd and extracellular polymer with the sand and the binding constant for Cd to polymer yielded reasonable estimates of the observed distribution of Cd in the presence of the extracellular polymer. Column experiments performed with Cd in the presence and absence of the selected extracellular polymer confirmed that application of polymer solutions can enhance metal mobility in porous media.
The Gnb5 gene is a novel β-transducin homolog transcribed from a divergent promoter located immediately upstream of the Syrian hamster p53 P1 promoter

Regulatory regions controlling p53 gene transcription in Syrian hamster embryo cells were characterized by use of chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT) constructs encompassing various subfragments of its 5′-flanking sequences. This analysis identified a 961 bp PstI-SacI (PS) fragment upstream from the p53 P1 promoter, which exhibited promoter activity only in the reverse orientation relative to the p53 gene. Northern hybridization of mRNA from hamster embryo cells with genomic probes containing the PS fragment detected a 2.1-kb transcript expressed at much lower levels than the p53 mRNA. Steady-state levels of the 2.1-kb mRNA were threefold higher in actively growing cells than in cells from confluent cultures. Library screenings with PS-containing probes resulted in the isolation from exponentially growing cells of a cDNA, the nucleotide sequence of which showed no significant homology to genes previously described. This novel gene, named Gnb5, for guanine nucleotide-binding protein, beta 5, codes for a protein of 538 amino acids with a highly acidic amino terminus containing a proline-rich domain, followed by a neutral domain with five repeat units of the β-transducin (WD-40) motif. The homology with β subunits of G proteins and with other WD-40 repeat-containing proteins was restricted to the repeats. The Gnb5 gene is well conserved in rodents and primates, as the hamster Gnb5 cDNA recognized, under high stringency conditions, the human and mouse counterparts in Southern and Northern hybridizations. Expression of Gnb5 in adult tissues was detected preferentially in testes, in both hamsters and humans.
Limiting Relationships Between Selection and Recombination

It is difficult to directly observe processes like natural selection at the genetic level, but relatively easy to estimate genetic frequencies in populations. As a result, genetic frequency data are widely used to make inferences about the underlying evolutionary processes. However, multiple processes can generate the same patterns of frequency data, making such inferences weak. By studying the limits to the underlying processes, one can make inferences from frequency data by asking how strong selection (or some other process of interest) would have to be to generate the observed pattern. Here we present results of a study of the limits to the relationship between selection and recombination in two-locus, two-allele systems in which we found the limiting relationships for over 30000 sets of parameters, effectively covering the range of two-locus, two-allele problems. Our analysis relates T(min)--the minimum time for a population to evolve from the initial to the final conditions--to the strengths of selection and recombination, the amount of linkage disequilibrium, and the Nei distance between the initial and final conditions. T(min) can be large with either large disequilibrium and small Nei distance, or the reverse. The behavior of T(min) provides information about the limiting relationships between selection and recombination. Our methods allow evolutionary inferences from frequency data when deterministic processes like selection and recombination are operating; in this sense they complement methods based entirely on drift.
Evaluation of the patient with chronic hepatitis B.

Recommended counseling for newly diagnosed chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients (i.e., hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]-positive for >6 months) includes education regarding measures to minimize the risk of inadvertent HBV transmission and promotion of healthy lifestyle habits. In addition, a review of the patient’s current and past medical history, HBV replication status, and liver disease severity allows one to better estimate the risk of developing progressive liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These data also help the clinician determine the need and type of potential antiviral therapy and subsequent frequency and type of disease monitoring.
Administration of chlorhexidine to persons with mental retardation residing in an institution: Patient acceptance and staff compliance

Chlorhexidine is beneficial in maintaining the oral health of persons diagnosed with mental retardation. Proper daily oral administration, however, depends upon the compliance of caregivers as well as patient acceptance. If caregivers are noncompliant or if patients are overly resistant to daily applications of chlorhexidine, its proven benefits will not be realized. This study evaluated two methods of chlorhexidine administration for patient acceptance and direct-care staff compliance among 44 institutionalized individuals diagnosed with mental retardation.
Characterization of a Putative γ-Aminobutyric-Acid (GABA) Receptor β-Subunit Gene from Drosophila melanogaster

A cDNA encoding a novel member of the ligand-gated chloride channel gene family of insects has been isolated from Drosophila melanogaster and characterized. The 1488 nucleotide open reading frame of this cDNA encodes an amino acid sequence having structural features conserved among ligand-gated chloride channel subunit proteins, including four hydrophobic domains capable of forming transmembrane helices (M1-M4), an octapeptide "signature motif" occurring in M2, a large intracellular domain between M3 and M4, and cysteine residues postulated to form a disulfide-bridged loop structure in the extracellular domain. Among characterized members of this gene family, this gene exhibits the greatest similarity to GABA receptor beta subunit genes. This high level of structural similarity suggests that its encoded protein may be a functional homologue of the beta subunit family in the D. melanogaster nervous system.
Amiodarone keratopathy in the donor cornea.

The views expressed in this simple-article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
A gradient projection method for solving continuous games

This paper develops a procedure for numerically solving continuous games (and also matrix games) using a gradient projection method in a general Hilbert space setting. First, we analyze the symmetric case. Our approach is to introduce a functional which measures how far a strategy deviates from giving zero value (i.e., how near the strategy is to being optimal). We then incorporate this functional into a nonlinear optimization problem with constraints and solve this problem using the gradient projection algorithm. The convergence is studied via the corresponding steepest-descent differential equation. The differential equation is a nonlinear initial-value problem in a Hilbert space; thus, we include a proof of existence and uniqueness of its solution. Finally, nonsymmetric games are handled using the symmetrization techniques of Ref. 1.
Binding of insulin-like growth factor I to human trophoblast cells during differentiation in vitro

Summary The binding of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to its receptor stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation in several cell systems. In the present studies, we have characterized the expression of IGF-I receptors during trophoblast differentiation in vitro. During differentiation of cytotrophoblast cells to syncytiotrophoblasts, IGF-I binding capacity increased 40 per cent from 80 to 130 fmol/mg protein on day 1 to day 2, then decreased by 70 per cent from 130 to 40 fmol/mg protein on day 2 to day 3. IGF-I binding affinity increased non-significantly with a change in kDa from 6.5 to 3.5 m m between day 1 and day 3 in culture. In contrast, when cells were maintained in an undifferentiated state, there was no change in either binding capacity or affinity over three days in culture. Down-regulation of the IGF-I receptor by pre-incubation with IGF-I was demonstrated for syncytiotrophoblasts with a maximum decrease in IGF-I binding of 67 per cent after 72 h pre-incubation. Minimal down-regulation was seen for the cytotrophoblast cells (maximum decrease in IGF-I binding of 22 per cent after 48 h pre-incubation). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that IGF-I binding to the trophoblast cell surface changes during trophoblast differentiation in vitro and suggest involvement of IGF-I in this process.
Hypoxia and acidification have additive and synergistic negative effects on the growth, survival, and metamorphosis of early life stage bivalves.

Low oxygen zones in coastal and open ocean ecosystems have expanded in recent decades, a trend that will accelerate with climatic warming. There is growing recognition that low oxygen regions of the ocean are also acidified, a condition that will intensify with rising levels of atmospheric CO2. Presently, however, the concurrent effects of low oxygen and acidification on marine organisms are largely unknown, as most prior studies of marine hypoxia have not considered pH levels. We experimentally assessed the consequences of hypoxic and acidified water for early life stage bivalves (bay scallops, Argopecten irradians, and hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria), marine organisms of significant economic and ecological value and sensitive to climate change. In larval scallops, experimental and naturally-occurring acidification (pH, total scale = 7.4–7.6) reduced survivorship (by >50%), low oxygen (30–50 µM) inhibited growth and metamorphosis (by >50%), and the two stressors combined produced additively negative outcomes. In early life stage clams, however, hypoxic waters led to 30% higher mortality, while acidified waters significantly reduced growth (by 60%). Later stage clams were resistant to hypoxia or acidification separately but experienced significantly (40%) reduced growth rates when exposed to both conditions simultaneously. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the consequences of low oxygen and acidification for early life stage bivalves, and likely other marine organisms, are more severe than would be predicted by either individual stressor and thus must be considered together when assessing how ocean animals respond to these conditions both today and under future climate change scenarios.
Combat Medicine: A Model for Civilian Mass Casualty Managment?

Casualty management is vital in combat. Prior to World War I, the wounded soldier's outlook for survival was dismal. However, technological advances of the twentieth-century introduced combat medics, triage, and improved medicines to the front lines, as well as, paramedics, 9-1-1 response, and state and local emergency centers on the home front, reducing pain and saving lives. Emerging technology promises to bring further life-saving techniques to the future battlefield and civilian disasters. With the advent of digital networks and sophisticated information technology, the ability to assist the wounded and evacuate casualties from the combat zone and city emergency areas promises tremendous improvements in casualty management and subsequent patient survival. This paper provides a brief review of the evolution of battlefield medicine and extrapolates how combining applied human factors with emergent digital technology could enhance battlefield and disaster casualty management.
AGE-PERIOD-COHORT ANALYSIS OF SECULAR TRENDS IN ONSET OF MAJOR DEPRESSION: FINDINGS IN SIBLINGS OF PATIENTS WITH MAJOR AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Analyses of data from the NIMH-CRB Collaborative Depression Study on age at onset of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in 1144 directly interviewed siblings of patients with major affective disorder show a strong secular trend toward increased lifetime risk and earlier onset in successive cohorts of birth since 1930. The proportionate increases in the instantaneous probabilities (hazard) of onset of MDD for each one year difference in year of birth were 5% for brothers and 7% for sisters. Age-period-cohort analysis suggests a powerful period effect may be responsible for this secular trend in rates of MDD, with rates of onset for siblings between 15 and 50 years of age doubling between the 1960s and 1970s. Possible artifacts are investigated.
Doxa and a critical rhetoric: Accounting for the rhetorical agent through prudence

This paper explores the tension between critical rhetoric's doxa and a modernistic episteme. Critical rhetoric's professed move away from an agent‐centered rhetoric in favor of rhetorical textuality recasts and de‐emphasizes the ethical dimensions associated with action. Ironically, however, this same move precipitates the re‐emergence of the agent in the form of the critic who acts as interpreter‐constructor of texts for society. As a remedy, I develop a revised conception of doxa positioned within a critical rhetoric, which is contrasted to episteme, and then advance a conception of prudence (practical wisdom) that uses doxa as its underpinnings. Finally, I argue that the actions of the agent may be accounted for through a prudential critique, thereby outlining ethical considerations within a critical rhetoric.
Overriding tricuspid valve: echocardiographic and angiocardiographic features

Eight cases are presented in which the diagnosis of overriding of the tricuspid valve was made during life and the electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and angiographic features of the defect are presented. Four of the patients had dextrotransposition of the great arteries, three had normally related great arteries and one had corrected transposition. In each case there was hypoplasia of the right ventricle and a ventricular septal defect of the atrioventricular (A-V) canal type. The electrocardiogram in the cases with d-transposition was characterized by diminished right ventricular forces, left ventricular forces, left ventricular hypertrophy and a superior leftward frontal plane axis. The echocardiogram in seven cases demonstrated a septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve opening posterior to the septum into the left ventricle. In four cases the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve was shown crossing the plane of the interventricular septum as it opened in diastole. The diagnosis in five cases was made angiographically by a left ventricular injection in the left anterior oblique projection. In this view the septum was viewed tangentially and in diastole the negative silhouette of the tricuspid valve was seen straddling the interventricular septum. The presence of an overriding tricuspid valve can greatly complicate repair of intracardiac defects. The diagnosis of this A-V valve anomaly can be accurately made with the use of echocardiography and selective left ventricular angiography.
The Links Between Parent Behaviors and Boys' and Girls' Science Achievement Beliefs

This study examined whether parental involvement in children's science schoolwork (i.e., discussions about science, homework helping and encouragement of science interest) varies for boys and girls, and how these behaviors relate to children's science achievement beliefs (i.e., ability perceptions and task-value) at the end of a school year. We analyzed these links both for fathers and mothers and examined whether child gender moderates how parental behaviors relate to children's beliefs over time. Data were gathered over a span of a school year from 114 middle-school students (50% girls, 81% European American) and their parents (mothers: n = 103, fathers: n = 90). We found support for the moderating effect of gender. Specifically, the findings indicated that only parents' encouragement of science interest varied by child gender; mothers' encouragement positively predicted girls' self-assessments of science ability at the end of the year, but was a negative estimator of boys' self-assessments. Additionall...
When experience counts most: effects of experiential similarity on men’s and women’s receipt of support during bereavement

Abstract The literature on gender and social support demonstrates that women are substantially more likely than men to both solicit and receive support — particularly emotional support — throughout the life course. In the present paper, we extend work on experiential similarity by examining whether gender affects patterns of support in the face of major negative life events. Previous research has suggested that following status transitions, women’s interactions are affected more strongly than are men’s by similarity of experience (i.e. having experienced the same transition). However, the transitions that have been studied are especially salient to women. Bereavement provides an ideal context in which to further examine these issues, since loss of a close family member is not a gendered event. To investigate the differential effects of experiential similarity on men’s and women’s support, we used longitudinal data on 59 individuals who recently experienced the death of an elderly family member for whom they were caring, and 863 members of their social networks. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that experiential similarity was important in explaining both men’s and women’s patterns of emotional support during bereavement. Further, examination of qualitative data suggested that similarity of bereavement became a focal point for dyads in which the associates had experienced both caregiving and the subsequent loss of the care recipient.