cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acceleration of key reactions as a strategy to elucidate the rate-limiting chemistry underlying phototransduction inactivation.

PURPOSE. A reconstituted system was used to establish a strategy to determine the rate-limiting chemistry responsible for recovery of the dim-flash response in rod photoreceptors. METHODS. A general approach for identifying the rate-limiting step in a series of reactions is to evaluate the consequences of accelerating each step separately, while monitoring the rate of formation of the end product of the series. This strategy was applied to the reactions involved in quenching phototransduction in bovine rod outer segment (bROS) homogenates. The decay of photoactivated rhodopsin (R*) and inactivation of transducin by guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis are the leading candidates for limiting the rate of phototransduction turn-off. These reactions were accelerated separately and together by adding hydroxylamine and/or the regulator of Gprotein signaling-9 catalytic domain (RGS9d) while monitoring phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity triggered by a pulse of light in bROS homogenates. RESULTS. PDE activity in bROS homogenates triggered by a flash of light returned to its dark value with a rate constant of 0.087 0.002 seconds in this system. The rate of PDE recovery increased to 0.11 0.004 seconds when R* decay was accelerated with 10 to 50 mM hydroxylamine, suggesting that R* inactivation limits the rate of phototransduction turn-off under these conditions. Adding both hydroxylamine and RGS9d, a factor that accelerates transducin inactivation, increased the rate of PDE decay even further. RGS9d had no effect on PDE recovery kinetics unless quenching of R* was also accelerated. CONCLUSIONS. Under in vitro conditions in bROS homogenates, the quenching of R* normally limits the rate of phototransduction shut-off. If R* decay is accelerated, inactivation of transducin by GTP hydrolysis becomes rate limiting. This study offers a general approach that could be used to investigate the ratelimiting chemistry of phototransduction turn-off in vivo. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:1016 ‐1022) DOI:10.1167/ iovs.02-0692 T he time course of a G-protein signaling cascade reflects the balance between a series of activation and recovery reactions. The cGMP hydrolysis cascade of vertebrate phototransduction is the G-protein‐mediated pathway whose time course is currently the most precisely defined. Light triggers a signaling cascade in vertebrate rod photoreceptors in which photoactivated rhodopsin stimulates transducin to bind guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and promote hydrolysis of the intracellular second-messenger cGMP. Phototransduction hyperpolarizes the rod cell and inhibits release of neurotransmitter at the rod synaptic terminal. Temporal resolution of information carried by light requires rapid activation and rapid deactivation of phototransduction.
Quadrupole Collectivity beyond N=28: Intermediate-Energy Coulomb Excitation of Ar47,48

We report on the first experimental study of quadrupole collectivity in the very neutron-rich nuclei $^{47,48}\mathrm{Ar}$ using intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation. These nuclei are located along the path from doubly magic Ca to collective S and Si isotopes, a critical region of shell evolution and structural change. The deduced $B(E2)$ transition strengths are confronted with large-scale shell-model calculations in the sdpf shell using the state-of-the-art SDPF-Uand EPQQM effective interactions. The comparison between experiment and theory indicates that a shell-model description of Ar isotopes around $N=28$ remains a challenge.
Comparison of calculated and measured arc-back current in large power rectifier systems

EVEN with the high degree of reliability which mercury-arc rectifiers possess today, there are still a few occasions when current is carried in the wrong direction in one of the rectifier tanks and hence an arc back is created. Since this arc-back current can rise to an abnormally high value in a few milliseconds, a means must be provided to limit and to cut off this abnormal current when an arc back does occur. In order to be able to specify the characteristics of the rectifier tanks, the rectifier transformer, and the anode and cathode circuit breakers, it is essential that the magnitude of this arc-back current can be calculated with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Methods and procedures for calculating this arc-back current have been described in numerous books and papers,1?6 and these calculations have been extremely useful in permitting the design of rectifier equipments which have reliably supplied large quantities of d-c power. On occasions when field tests have been performed and measurements of this arc-back current have been made, an abnormally large discrepancy has usually been found to exist between the calculated and the measured values of this current with the calculated values being appreciably higher than the measured values. While the calculated results were on the safe side, they have, on occasions, required the installation of additional impedance in the a-c system and have therefore increased the initial installation cost and may have penalized the operating performance of this equipment.
Arginine vasopressin inhibits adipogenesis in human adipose-derived stem cells

Intracellular Ca2+ signaling is important for stem cell differentiation and there is evidence it may coordinate the process. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide hormone secreted mostly from the posterior pituitary gland and increases Ca2+ signals mainly via V1 receptors. However, the role of AVP in adipogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) is unknown. In this study, we identified the V1a receptor gene in hASCs and demonstrated that AVP stimulation increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration during adipogenesis. This effect was mediated via V1a receptors, Gq-proteins and the PLC-IP3 pathway. These Ca2+ signals were due to endoplasmic reticulum release and influx from the extracellular space. Furthermore, AVP supplementation to the adipogenic medium decreased the number of adipocytes and adipocyte marker genes during differentiation. The effect of AVP on adipocyte formation was reversed by the V1a receptor blocker V2255. These findings suggested that AVP may function to inhibit adipocyte differentiation.
p53 gene transfer to the injured rat carotid artery decreases neointimal formation

Abstract Purpose: We studied the effect of adenovirus-mediated p53 gene transfer on the injured rat carotid artery to determine its ability to decrease the formation of neointima. Methods: In vivo gene transfer was used in isolated segments of balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. Genetically modified adenovirus containing the gene encoding for wild-type p53 (AdWTp53) was applied in three concentrations: 8 × 10 10 , 1.6 × 10 10 , and 8 × 10 9 pfu/mL. Control rats received either adenovirus null (AdNull), 8 × 10 10 pfu/mL, or Medium-199 solution (vehicle). Expression of p53 was determined 4 days after gene transfer by Western blotting. Neointimal formation was assessed after 14 days by harvesting carotid arteries and determining the intima/media (I/M) ratio based on cross-sectional area measurement. Simultaneously, immunohistochemistry was done to detect the presence of p53 on smooth muscle cell nuclei. Results: P53 expression was confirmed by Western blotting. There was a significant reduction in neointimal formation on all treated animals compared with controls. The highest dose of AdWTp53 (8 × 10 10 pfu/mL) resulted in a near-total arrest of neointimal formation (I/M = 0.09 ± 0.03, mean ± SEM) with P 10 pfu/mL) resulted in an I/M value of 1.04 ± 0.18, with P P = .001 versus AdNull. The lowest dose (8 × 10 9 pfu/mL) resulted in an I/M value of 1.12 ± 0.18, with P P Conclusions: Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of p53 protein significantly decreases the formation of neointima in the rat carotid injury model. This may represent a potential therapy for restenosis in humans. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:360-9)
Synthesis and “anomerization” of C-glycosyl compounds related to some heterocyclic natural products

Abstract Reaction of 2,3- O -isopropylidene- d -ribofuranose ( 13 ) with the stabilized Wittig reagents Ph 3 PC(Me)CO 2 Me ( 14 ) and Ph 3 PC(Me)CN ( 15 ) gave olefinic products which, upon treatment with dilute base, afforded the corresponding anhydro sugars having the β- d -anomer configuration exclusively. Treatment of these kinetic products with a strong base did not affect the ester obtained from 14 , but the nitrile from 15 gave a β-to-α-anomer ratio at equilibrium of 4:1. Reaction of 13 with Ph 3 PCHCOMe led directly to a 7:3 mixture of β- and α- d anomers, and this ratio was changed to 1:4 upon prolonged exposure to base. Treatment of 4,6- O -ethylidene- d -glucopyranose with the Wittig reagent Ph 3 PCHCOCH 2 CO 2 Et led directly to a 1:1 mixture of the anomers of the anhydro sugar in which a β-keto ester residue is attached at the (original) anomeric center. This ratio of anomeric forms could not be changed by treatment with base, but the ethylidene-protecting group could be removed, and the resulting tetrol tritylated at the primary position.
A study of the slope-mass correlation in the low mass K ππ system☆

Abstract The shape of the four-momentum transfer t′ distribution in the reactions K±p→K±π+π−p at 13 GeV/c is studied for various partial waves as a function of the Kππ mass. Strong variation of the slope with effective mass is observed for the dominant JP=1+ waves. For natural parity exchange it is found that, for Kππ masses up to 1.6 GeV, the slope of the t′ distribution is decreasing with increasing spin of the excited system, B0−>B1+>B2+.
A culturally competent asthma management intervention: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Background Despite significant medical advances, many ethnic and racial minority children who live in inner cities continue to experience disproportionately high levels of asthma morbidity and mortality compared with white children. As a result, a growing number of psychosocial asthma management interventions are being developed to address their needs; however, only a few of these interventions have incorporated cultural variables into their treatments and have had their efficacy evaluated. Objective To examine the efficacy of the Multifamily Asthma Group Treatment (MFAGT), designed to enhance asthma management and reduce emergency department (ED) visits among African American and Hispanic families. Methods Twenty-four African American and Hispanic families who have children with asthma were randomly assigned to either the MFAGT or the Standard Psychoeducational Asthma Intervention. Differences in the number of ED visits and the level of asthma management in both groups were compared 1 year before and 1 year after the intervention. In addition, these groups were contrasted to a control group that did not receive any psychoeducational intervention. Results The MFAGT was significantly ( P = .04) more effective than the Standard Psychoeducational Asthma Intervention and the control in decreasing ED visits and increasing parental asthma knowledge. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that the MFAGT is efficacious in enhancing asthma management and in reducing ED visits in inner-city African American and Hispanic children from a lower socioeconomic background.
Performance analysis of galloping-based piezoaeroelastic energy harvesters with different cross-section geometries:

The concept of harvesting energy from galloping oscillations of a bluff body with different cross-section geometries attached to a cantilever beam is investigated. To convert these oscillations int...
Glacial-to-interglacial variations in the carbon isotopic composition of atmospheric CO 2

Samples of the C4 shrub Atriplex confertifolia recovered from packrat middens in the western United States provide a record of changes in the 13C/12C ratio (δ13C) of atmospheric carbon dioxide. During the last ice age, atmospheric CO2 was isotopically light relative to interglacial periods, a result attributed to a combination of factors including reduced terrestrial biomass and decreased productivity of the polar ocean.
Estimating Electric Loads for Military-Training Bases, Federal Housing, and Other Wartime Projects

AT present a great amount of engineering talent is being utilized in the electrical planning and designing of various types of military-training bases, federal-housing projects, and other wartime projects. The Bonneville Power Administration has been requested to supply electric power to many types of war projects and of course was confronted with the problem of estimating the power requirements of each.
Preservation of rotational cooling following pulse compression TOF mass selection of N2O+ ions created in a supersonic plasma

Abstract Cold ions created in the dense region of an ionized free jet are mass selected by pulsing them into a tandem time-of-flight (TOF) photofragmentation spectrometer after the plasma breaks up in the 1/ r 2 expansion. These ions are then refocused for interaction with a pulsed laser to recover the high signal levels typical of ion spectroscopies carried out inside the plasma. The rotational cooling of the N 2 O + ion in the source was found to be preserved even after transverse extraction through the unskimmed jet. Details of the cavity stabilized, single mode pulsed dye laser are also presented.
Collisional excitation of electron Landau levels in strong magnetic fields

The cross sections for the excitation and deexcitation of the quantized transverse energy levels of an electron in a magnetic field are calculated for electron-proton and electron-electron collisions in light of the importance of the cross sections for studies of X-ray pulsar emission. First-order matrix elements are calculated using the Dirac theory of the electron, thus taking into account relativistic effects, which are believed to be important in accreting neutron stars. Results for the collisional excitation of ground state electrons by protons are presented which demonstrate the importance of proton recoil and relativistic effects, and it is shown that electron-electron excitations may contribute 10 to 20% of the excitation rate from electron-proton scattering in a Maxwellian plasma. Finally, calculations of the cross section for electron-proton small-angle scattering are presented which lead to relaxation rates for the electron velocity distribution which are modified by the magnetic field, and to a possible increase in the value of the Coulomb logarithm.
Oncogenic viruses in nipple aspirate fluid: biomarkers for breast cancer risk assessment?

It would be a considerable advantage to be able to identify women at high risk for developing breast cancer to justify closer follow-up and use of multiple methods to ensure early detection. At present, the only high risk individuals identifiable with a biomarker are those ≈5% with a strong familial history of breast cancer. For the remaining 95% there is a lack of such biomarkers. Three independent epidemiologic studies found that women with mammary epithelial cells (MEC) in their nipple aspirate fluids (NAF) were more likely to subsequently develop breast cancer than women without cells. A possible explanation for this is that early stages of breast carcinogenesis and tumor progression most likely involve MEC hyperplasia triggered by a carcinogenic agent. Viruses cause several major human cancers (e.g. primary liver cancer and cervical cancer). Recent studies found bovine leukemia virus (BLV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human papilloma virus (HPV) more frequently in breast tissues of women with breast cancer vs. those with no breast cancer history.
INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEINS FROM PRIMARY CULTURES OF RAT OVARIAN THECA-INTERSTITIAL (ROTI) CELLS: REGULATION BY LH AND IGF-I

We and others have shown that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) play an important role in ovarian function. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that ROTI cells produce IGFBPs and that theca-interstitial cell IGFBP production is regulated by LH and IGF-I. Density gradient-purified ROTI cells were cultured in serum-free medium with selected concentrations of LH or IGF-I, alone and in combination. After 24 to 48 hours, supernatant media were removed and IGFBPs analyzed by Western ligand blotting and immunoblotting. Ligand blotting was carried out using equal amounts of radiolabeled IGF-I and IGF-II. Immunoblotting was carried out using anti rat IGFBP-3 antiserum and anti bovine IGFBP-2 antiserum (provided by Drs. Nicholas Ling and David Clemmons, respectively). Western ligand blotting of media obtained from cells cultured without added hormones (Control) revealed a predominant IGFBP of 29-30 kD with minor species of 28 and 35-40 kD. Immunoblotting with anti-IGFBP-2 detected the 29-30 kD species whereas immunoblotting with anti-IGFBP-3 failed to detect any IGFBP-3. High doses of LH (100 ng/ml) decreased IGFBP-2 expression while 100 ng/ml IGF-I increased IGFBP-2 levels 5 to 10-fold above control values. IGFBP-2 levels were increased by 24 hours and reached peak levels by 48 hours of incubation. We conclude that rat ovarian theca-interstitial cells produce several IGFBPs, primarily IGFBP-2. IGFBP-2 levels are increased by IGF-I and suppressed by high doses of LH. The production of IGFBP-2 by theca-interslitial cells and its regulation by LH and IGF-I may play an important role in ovarian androgen production.
Optimal motion primitives for multi-UAV convoy protection

In this paper we study the problem of controlling a number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to provide convoy protection to a group of ground vehicles. The UAVs are modeled as Dubins vehicles flying at a constant altitude with bounded turning radius. This paper first presents timeoptimal paths for providing convoy protection to static ground vehicles. Then this paper addresses paths and control strategies to provide convoy protection to ground vehicles moving on a straight line. Minimum numbers of UAVs required to provide perpetual convoy protection for both cases are derived.
Virulence of Verticillium lecanii isolates in aphids determined by detached-leaf bioassay

Abstract The virulence of three Verticillium lecanii isolates, designated as VL4, VL6, and VL10, was studied by treating three aphid species, Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii , and Aphis citricola , with the entomopathogen. Treated aphids were transferred to detached leaves of Citrus aurantifolia on 1% water agar for pathogen incubation. The LC 50 on M. persicae of drench vs. spray treatment of VL10 after 6 days was 1.48 and 1.65 × 10 6 conidia/ml, respectively. V. lecanii was applied by spray in all remaining experiments. Population mortality began 3 days post-treatment and concentrations of 10 6 –10 7 conidia/ml resulted in rapid mortality, reaching 100% after 4 days. Lower concentrations were also effective, but required more time to reach high mortality. VL4 required a concentration of 10 7 conidia/ml and 8 days to reach 100% mortality. The virulence of VL10 and VL6 was high in M. persicae and A. gossypii , whereas VL4 virulence was low in the three aphid species. Disease induced by VL10 and VL6 resulted in high mortality when only 33% of the populations of M. persicae and A. gossypii were treated by the fungus isolate. Aphis citricola populations were found to be least affected by the isolates regardless of the percentage of the population treated. These results indicated host specificity existed in the isolates of V. lecanii tested.
The hemodynamic responses to an intravenous test dose in vascular surgical patients.

The study was designed to investigate the hemodynamic responses to intravenous (IV) injections of various epidural test doses in vascular surgical patients to determine whether previously established criteria in healthier populations were valid in this inherently sicker population. A double-blind, prospective randomized study was performed on 50 patients, not receiving j3-adrenergic antagonists, presenting for vascular surgery and requiring an arterial line. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a 3-mL injection of one of five solutions, either saline (Group l), lidocaine 45 mg (Group 21, lidocaine 45 mg and epinephrine 5 pg (Group 3), lidocaine 45 mg and epinephrine 10 pg (Group 4), or lidocaine 45 mg and epinephrine 15 pg (Group 5). After injection, a blinded observer recorded arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) every 15 s for 3 min. The changes in HR, systolic (SBP), mean (MBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure as well as time to maximum change were analyzed both within and between groups. Only Group 5 had significant within-group changes for all hemodynamic variables measured. Only in the comparison between Groups 1 and 5 and between Groups 2 and 5 were there significant changes in both HR and SBP. The mean increase in HR and SBP within Group 5 was 17.0 + 5.9 bpm and 31.0 + 10.5 mm Hg, respectively. No differences were found between groups for time to maximum change for HR and SBP which for Group 5 were 64.5 + 37.4 s and 90.0 rt 56.7 s, respectively. To achieve 100% sensitivity and specificity for HR increase, the criterion established was 2 9 bpm. A criterion with 100% sensitivity and specificity could not be established for SBP. The authors conclude that a test dose containing epinephrine 15 pg is a reliable test dose for identification of intravascular injection in the vascular surgical population when associated with an increase in HR of 2 9 bpm. This criterion for HR increase is less than that previously established in healthier populations.
Diffraction-Enhanced Imaging

Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI), sometimes referred to as analyzer-based imaging, is an emerging phase contrast X-ray imaging modality that generates exquisite soft tissue contrast at a vastly reduced absorbed radiation dose relative to absorption-based radiography for imaging applications, which include mammography and assessment of cartilage and lung damage. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in the field of DEI. These include assessment of liver fibrosis, evaluation of the orientation and degree of anisotropy in bone microarchitecture, and assessment of emphysema. We will summarize the state of the clinical translation of DEI and discuss barriers to the clinical translation of DEI and potential ways to overcome these barriers.
Effectiveness of a Low-fidelity Simulation Experience in Building Confidence among Advanced Practice Nursing Graduate Students

Abstract Background Human patient simulators are increasingly being integrated into nursing curricula; however, there is a gap in the literature supporting the use of human patient simulators among advanced practice nursing students. Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether student confidence with heart and lung assessment would increase following a simulation experience. Method The 18 advanced practice nursing students in the experimental group received a 1-hour simulation experience focusing on cardiac and respiratory assessment, and 14 students in the control group received the usual course lecture and laboratory material. All students then completed a survey to assess confidence in assessment skills prior to starting clinical. Results A significant difference was found between the groups. Conclusions Results provide support for integration of simulation into an advanced health assessment course, even for practicing more basic skills. Future studies need to measure confidence before and after a simulation experience and compare simulation outcomes against traditional teaching methods.
Novel color Gabor-LBP-PHOG (GLP) descriptors for object and scene image classification

This paper presents a novel set of color descriptors for object and scene image classification. We first introduce a new Gabor-PHOG (GPHOG) descriptor by concatenating the Pyramid of Histograms of Oriented Gradients (PHOG) of the local Gabor filtered images. Second, we derive the Gabor-LBP (GLBP) descriptor by accumulating the Local Binary Patterns (LBP) histograms of all the component images produced by applying Gabor filters. Then, by combining the GPHOG and the GLBP descriptors using an optimal feature representation method, we propose a novel Gabor-LBP-PHOG (GLP) image descriptor which performs well on different image categories. Next, we make a comparative assessment of the classification performance of the GLP descriptor in six different color spaces. Finally, we present a novel Fused Color GLP (FC-GLP) feature by integrating the PCA features of the six color GLP descriptors. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Enhanced Fisher Model (EFM) are applied for feature extraction and the nearest neighbor classification rule is used for classification. The effectiveness of the proposed GLP and FC-GLP feature vectors for image classification is evaluated using three grand challenge datasets, namely the Caltech 256 dataset, the MIT Scene dataset and the UIUC Sports Event dataset.
The use of percentages and size-specific indices to normalize physiological data for variation in body size: wasted time, wasted effort?

Abstract Researchers commonly compute percentages or size-specific indices in an attempt to remove effects of body size from physiological data. Unfortunately, such ratios seldom eliminate the influence of body size on a physiological response and the ratios introduce major (but often unrecognized) problems with respect to statistical analysis and interpretation of the data. Indeed, these shortcomings of ratios frequently lead investigators to arrive at incorrect conclusions in otherwise flawless experiments. A superior alternative to using ratios combines graphical analysis and the analysis of covariance, which is a widely available statistical routine that uses least-squares regression to remove effects of body size from physiological data. Accordingly, we counsel researchers to discontinue forming ratios in an attempt to normalize physiological data for variation in body size and to adopt a reliable alternative. We also advise readers of scientific research not to place great confidence in results of studies that use ratios for scaling.
Recent results from the University of Washington's 38 mm ram accelerator

The ram accelerator is a propulsive device that accelerates projectiles using gasdynamic cycles similar to those which generate thrust in airbreathing ramjets. The projectile, analogous to the centerbody of a ramjet, travels supersonically through a stationary tube containing a gaseous fuel and oxidizer mixture. The projectile itself carries no onboard propellant. A combustion zone follows the projectile and stabilizes the shock structure. The resulting pressure distribution continuously accelerates the projectile. Several modes of ram accelerator operation have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. At velocities below the Chapman-Jouguet (C-J) detonation speed of the propellant mixture, the thermally choked propulsion mode accelerates the projectiles. At projectile velocities between approximately 90 and 110 percent of the C-J speed, a transdetonative propulsion mode occurs. At velocities beyond 110 percent of the C-J speed, projectiles experience superdetonative propulsion. This paper presents recent experimental results from these propulsion modes obtained with the University of Washington's 38-mm bore ram accelerator. Data from investigations with hydrogen diluted-gas mixtures are also introduced.
Isolation of the CCAAT transcription factor subunit EFIA cDNA and a potentially functional EFIA processed pseudogene from Bos taurus: insights into the evolution of the EFIA/dbpB/YB-1 gene family

Abstract The genomic copy multiplicity of the CCAAT transcription complex component enhancer factor I subunit A (EFI A ) has been examined. When a mammalian genomic Southern blot was hybridized to a rat EFI A cDNA, a complex pattern consisting of numerous related sequences was found in all the species examined, with Bos taurus being the least complex. An EFI A #1 cDNA from Bos taurus was isolated from a primary lung endothelial cell cDNA library by screening with the 1489-bp rat EFI A cDNA. The deduced bovine EFI A #1 amino acid (aa) sequence is 98% identical to rat EFI A and 100% identical to human EFI A /DbpB/YB-1 family member DNA-binding protein B (DbpB). In addition, a processed EFI A pseudogene from Bos taurus , designated bovine Ψ EFI A #1 , was obtained from a genomic library by screening with a rat EFI A cDNA probe. The bovine ΨEFI A #1 gene has an ORF which, if expressed, would encode a 140-aa sequence, with aa 31–140 having 84% identity to bovine EFI A #1 . The genomic cloning data indicate that processed pseudogenes are partially responsible for the complexity of the EFI A genomic Southern blots. The phenomenon of ‘repeat induced point mutation’ ( ripping ) at bovine ΨEFI A #1 gene CpG dinucleotides occurs at a 6.5-fold higher frequency than expected from random mutagenesis. Therefore, ripping is likely to be the mechanism by which the bovine EFI A #1 pseudogene's ectopic recombination potential was inactivated.
Clinical ocular findings in a colony of chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger)

Examination of 14 aged chinchillas revealed a shallow orbit, a rudimentary nictitating membrane, a large cornea, a densely pigmented iris with a vertical slit pupil, and an anangiotic fundus with variable vascularization of the optic disc. Mean intraocular pressure was 18.5 /+- 5.75 standard deviation mmHg. Bilateral posterior cortical cataracts and asteroid hyalosis were observed in 2 animals.
Isotope effect in water desorption from Ru(001)

It is well-established that three features are resolved in the thermal desorption spectra of H 2 O from clean Ru(001): one at low temperature due to desorption from ice multilayers, and two at higher temperatures due to desorption from a chemisorbed bilayer. However, we find that for D 2 O the highest-temperature state is strongly suppressed. By varying the heating rate during H 2 O desorption, we obtain evidence that the highest-temperature state can be formed by conversion from the intermediate state. Conversion is much slower for D 2 O than for H 2 O, so that direct desorption is kinetically favored over conversion and the high-temperature state is suppressed for D 2 O. The rate of conversion is about 3 to 8 times slower for D 2 O than for H 2 O, which is consistent with a model in which the rate-determining step for conversion is rotation of one or more water molecules within a hydrogen-bonded cluster. This work provides the first evidence for an isotope effect in thermal desorption of water. An important ramification is that adsorbed D 2 O is not always interchangeable with H 2 O for chemical studies of isotopic mixing or for spectroscopic studies of vibrational frequency shifts, as is commonly assumed.
On the Use of Functional Test Generation in Diagnostic Test Generation for Synchronous Sequential Circuits

We study the relationship between diagnostic test generation for a gate-level fault model, which is used for generating diagnostic test sets for manufacturing defects, and functional test generation for a high-level fault model. In general, a functional fault may partially represent some of the effects of one gate-level fault but not another. Generating a test sequence for the functional fault is then likely to detect one gate-level fault but not the other, thus distinguishing the two faults. This relationship points to the ability to use a functional test generation procedure (that targets functional fault detection) as a way of generating diagnostic test sequences for gate-level faults. We use this observation in two ways. The more direct way is to define functional faults that correspond to the differences between pairs of gate-level faults. The second way is to use functional test sequences as diagnostic test sequences without explicitly considering gate-level faults. We support the use of the resulting procedures with experimental results.
Depressed Splenic T Lymphocyte Numbers and Thymocyte Migratory Patterns in Murine Malaria

SummaryThe results obtained in this study show that a progressive depression in the splenic T-cell population occurs in P. berghei-infected mice and that T-cell migration is abnormal also. Since the thymus and lymph nodes involute in P. berghei-infected mice (10), it is likely that the total T-cell pool is depleted in the infected mouse. The decreased ability of transplanted thymus cells to seed into the infected spleen and the decreased T-cell population may indicate that infected mice have an environment hostile to T-cell viability.
Efficient markets hypothesis and daily variation in small Pacific‐basin stock markets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to indicate the existence of certain time series characteristics in daily stock returns of four small Asian (Pacific basin) financial markets. It aims to study efficient capital markets (efficient markets hypothesis (EMH)) as results may infer that there are predictable properties of the time series of prices of traded securities on organized markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses daily variations in financial market data obtained from the Sandra Ann Morsilli Pacific‐basin Capital Markets Research Center (PACAP).Findings – The weak form efficiency test example examines the wide range of trading rules available to common investors. Some theorists try to convince everyone that the weak form of EMH is acceptable due to the weight of academic opinion. The paper finds that for short‐term (daily) changes, the markets of four of the smaller Pacific‐basin stock markets have predictable properties, which leads to t...
Non-Kramers ENDOR and ESEEM of the S = 2 Ferrous Ion of [Fe(II)EDTA]2−

Abstract We report here the first non-Kramers (NK) ESEEM and ENDOR study of a mononuclear NK center, presenting extensive parallel-mode ESEEM and ENDOR measurements on the St = 2 ferrous center of [Fe(II)ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetato]2−; [Fe(II)EDTA)]2−. The results disclose an anomalous equivalence of the experimental patterns produced by the two techniques. A simple theoretical treatment of the frequency-domain patterns expected for NK-ESEEM and NK-ENDOR rationalizes this correspondence and further suggests that the very observation of NK-ENDOR is the result of an unprecedentedly large hyperfine enhancement effect. The mixed nitrogen–carboxylato oxygen coordination of [Fe(II)EDTA]2− models that of the protein-bound diiron centers, although with a higher coordination number. Analysis of the NK-ESEEM measurements yields the quadrupole parameters for the 14N ligands of [Fe(II)EDTA]2−, K = 1.16(1) MHz, 0 ≤ η ≤ 0.05, and the analysis indicates that the electronic zero-field splitting tetragonal axis lies along the N–N direction.
Equality of Opportunity

Everyone agrees that opportunities should be equal. There is less consensus, however, on what equality of opportunity is—what it is that everyone is entitled to. The main object of this discussion is to defend a certain account of this elusive notion. I will confine myself, somewhat artificially, to opportunity for jobs and thence to equality of job opportunity. The extension of the proposed measures to other kinds of opportunity will be sufficiently obvious. Indeed, my main aim is to explicate, not “equal opportunity,” but the expression “is a situation in which opportunity rights are respected equally.” My reason for concentrating on the latter—I discuss the former ambulando—is the following: Equality of opportunity is important because everyone accepts it as a normative principle that “all should have equal opportunity,” whether for jobs or for the other good things in life. That a society interferes with or prevents equal opportunity is a legitimate criticism of it. What needs explicating, then, is equal opportunity as it occurs in the principle, “Opportunities should be equal for all.” There is great scope for fallacies of equivocation here. As we will see, certain obvious measures of equality of opportunity—what the man in the street may sometimes mean by equality of opportunity—actually render the moral principle false.
The action of the ionophore ionomycin in guinea-pig intestinal smooth muscle.

The ionophore ionomycin produced concentration-dependent (5 × 10−9 to 5 × 10−6 M) contractions in guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. Responses were dependent on extracellular Ca2+, consistent with the known role of this Ca2+ source in supporting excitation–contraction coupling to a variety of stimulants in this tissue. Responses were insensitive to atropine (10−6 M) but were dependent upon extracellular Na+ and were completely blocked by low concentrations of the Ca2+-channel antagonists nicardipine. YC-93 (5 × 10−7 M), and D-600 (5 × 10−6 M). The behaviour of ionomycin is very similar to that shown by A 23187 in this tissue. Ionomycin, like A 23187, can apparently activate D-600 sensitive Ca2+ channels in the guinea-pig intestinal smooth muscle rather than simply translocating Ca2+EXT.
Kinesin-12 differentially affects spindle assembly depending on its microtubule substrate.

Summary Background During mitosis, the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton rearranges into a bipolar spindle that drives chromosome segregation. Two kinesin subtypes, kinesin-5 and kinesin-12, help build this bipolar array by separating the spindle poles. However, unlike kinesin-5, the kinesin-12 mechanism is not well understood. Results At physiologically normal protein levels, we demonstrate that the human kinesin-12 Kif15 acts predominantly on kinetochore fibers to regulate their lengths. This activity limits the extent to which spindle poles separate, leading to transient spindle length instabilities when the motor is absent. Using a novel cell line wherein Kif15 usurps kinesin-5 function, we further show that Kif15 can assume a commanding role in spindle pole separation as a consequence of its mislocalization to nonkinetochore MTs. This Kif15-dependent mechanism is inefficient, however, as spindles assemble through a perilous monopolar intermediate. Conclusions By examining Kif15 activity in two cellular contexts, we found that Kif15 bound to kinetochore fibers antagonizes centrosome separation while Kif15 bound to nonkinetochore MTs mediates centrosome separation. Our work demonstrates that Kif15 acts on parallel MT arrays and clarifies its role under both normal and pathological conditions.
Altered expression of the D1.1 ganglioside in the cerebellum of the Weaver mouse.

: Expression of the D1.1 ganglioside was studied immuno-histochemically in developing cerebella from normal and weaver mutant mice. In the normal cerebellum at postnatal day 7 (P7), D1.1 expression was restricted to the external granule-cell layer (EGL). At later ages, D1.1 disappeared as the developing granule neurons ceased mitosis and began migrating toward the internal granule-cell layer. In the weaver cerebellum, D1.1 was expressed in the EGL in apparently normal fashion at P7, but failed to disappear at later ages. As late as P35, D1.1 immunoreactivity was observed throughout the weaver cerebellar cortex. The relative amounts of D1.1 ganglioside in weaver and normal cerebella were compared by thin layer chromatography of total gangliosides, followed by overlay of the chromatogram with anti-D1.1 and 125I-labelled second antibody. Autoradiograms showed that at P12 and P35 the weaver tissue contains six- to tenfold more D1.1 than normal tissue. These findings suggest that one result of the weaver mutation is prolonged expression of D1.1. We speculate that the D1.1 ganglioside might be involved in adhesive interactions that regulate the timing of granule-cell migration from the EGL. The prolonged expression of D1.1 could be responsible, in part, for the failure of granule-cell migration in the weaver cerebellum.
The Shifting Paradigm of Treating Neurogenic Bladder Patients After the Introduction of Neuromodulation

Over the last 10 years, there have been an increasing number of treatment options for patients with neurogenic bladder. We conducted a literature review of the most current research on mirabegron, onabotulinumtoxin A, sacral nerve modulation (SNM), and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) as it pertains to neurogenic bladder. In addition to discussing these treatments, we also discuss how these treatments pertain to the most common etiologies of neurogenic bladder: multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI) and Parkinson’s Disease. Each of the above treatment modalities has been shown to be effective in these populations, with the most research behind onabotulinumtoxin A. While SNM and PTNS appear promising, more research is needed with bigger populations to fully elucidate the benefits of these treatments. The decision on which treatment is best for each patient should be individualized based on a patient’s symptoms, disease, and his or her unique preferences.
Towards a Redefinition of the Role of the Court Interpreter

Various federal and state statutes in the United States define the role of the court interpreter with clear and unequivocal rules. This definition is based on the underlying principles of the U.S. legal system, which is derived from the Anglo-Saxon common-law tradition. Consequently, the distinctive features of that system, including the jury trial and the concept of adversarial proceedings, make the function of the court interpreter quite different from that of his/her counterparts in other countries. In recent years, the judiciary has made an effort to enhance the public's access to the justice system, but at the same time, the latest wave of immigration comprises individuals from societies in which cultural norms differ greatly from those of the United States. Moreover, many of these immigrants have received little or no formal education. As a result, judiciary interpreters feel somewhat constrained by the rules that govern their profession when they strive to bridge the cultural and linguistic gap. This paper reexamines the function of the court interpreter in light of these circumstances and an analysis of prevailing practices in other countries, and proposes a new approach to the interpreter's role.
Cellular localization and cell cycle regulation by a temperature-sensitive p53 protein

Primary rat embryo fibroblasts were transformed by a p53 mutant (alanine to valine change at amino acid 135) plus ras. This p53val135 mutant is temperature sensitive for a conformational change detected by the binding of a monoclonal antibody, PAb246, which recognizes the wild-type protein or the great majority of p53val135 at 32.5 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, both mutant and wild-type p53 conformational forms co-exist in the cells, while at 39.5 degrees C, the majority of the p53val135 in the cell is in a mutant conformation not recognized by PAb246 antibody. At 39.5 degrees C, the mutant p53 is localized in the cytoplasm of the cell. At 32.5 degrees C, the p53 protein enters the nucleus and stops the growth of these cells. At 37 degrees C where there is a mixture of mutant and wild-type p53, the wild-type p53 protein is in a complex with hsc70 and mutant p53 protein in the cytoplasm of the cell during G1. This wild-type protein enters the nucleus as the cells enter the S-phase of the cell cycle. At 32.5 degrees C, the cells stop replication and arrest at the G1/S border. After 48 hr at 32.5 degrees C, 91% of the cells are in the G1 fraction of the cell cycle. The S-phase cells appear to be immune to the p53 negative regulation of growth until they enter the next G1 period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Functional Limitation and Disability Associated with Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common and increasing problem among older persons. Symptoms associated with CHF include edema, fatigue, dyspnea, limited exercise tolerance, and significant activity limitation. Using a comprehensive review of literature, this article describes the public health burden arising out of CHF in the United States. It describes CHF in terms of functional limitation and disability in the elderly following the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation and Research (NCMRR) disability model. The use of home based interventions (HBI) to assist people with CHF is discussed.
Implantable left ventricular assist devices.

The first bridge to transplant with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was preformed over 20 years ago. Since that time, the devices have continued to evolve and now patients are being supported with devices as an alternative to transplantation. The primary indication of end-stage heart failure remains the same but increased knowledge about patient selection, the timing of implant, and patient management have contributed to improved outcomes with decreasing adverse events. Multiorgan failure, right ventricular failure, bleeding, infection, thromboembolism, and device malfunction continue to be the most serious threats to longterm survival in these patients. Despite that, patients who do well are now able to be discharged from the hospital and resume relatively normal lives with the devices. The article reviews 3 of the most widely used LVADs for bridge to transplant therapy: the Thoratec; HeartMate vented electric; and the Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System. Indications, mechanism of operation, clinical problems, and out-of-hospital preparation are outlined.
Robust tests for parity trees

Tests to detect line stuck-at and transistor stuck-open faults in CMOS binary parity trees are considered. The main objective was to derive bounds on test sequences and test sequences that detect all single faults, even in the presence of circuit delays. It is shown that the desired robustness of test requires tests whose lengths are proportional to the depth of the trees under test, in contrast to earlier used tests of constant length, in which robustness was not required. The results derived give exact bounds for complete trees, but similar results for incomplete trees need further investigations. >
Examining Tax Strategy Patents—An Analysis of Reform Measures

Tax strategy patents (TSPs) are currently the center of debate due to their potential to monopolize interpretations of the tax code. Current legislative efforts to calm the debate surrounding tax strategy patents fail to do so. This paper analyzes current legislative reform measures aimed at TSPs. We identify both administrative and legislative problems surrounding TSPs, and argue that legislative reform that completely removes legal methods from patentable subject matter is critically necessary in order to provide equity for all taxpayers. Despite proposed legislation to curb the growth of TSPs, more stringent legislative and administrative reform is necessary in order to provide guidance to taxpayers and to advance tax policy.