cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleotide composition as a driving force in the evolution of retroviruses

All complete retrovirus sequences in the GenEMBL database were examined with the goal of assessing possible relationships between the nucleotide composition of retroviral genomes, the amino acid composition of retroviral proteins, and evolutionary strategies used by retroviruses. The results demonstrated that the genome of each viral lineage has a characteristic base composition and that the variations between groups are related to retroviral phylogeny. By analogy to microbial species, we suggest that the variations arise from group-specific patterns of directional mutations where the bias can be exerted on any of the four nucleotides. It is most likely that the mutational patterns are introduced during reverse transcription, and a direct participation of reverse transcriptase in the process is suspected. A straightforward strategy was used to analyze the compositional relationship between nucleotides and encoded amino acids. The procedure entailed calculations of amino acid frequencies from nucleotide content and the comparison of the calculated values to the observed amino acid frequencies in retroviruses. The results revealed an excellent correspondence between variation in genomic base composition and variation in amino acid composition of proteins with the compositional differences extending into all major coding regions of the viruses. Because of the magnitude and dispersion of these effects, and because of the nonconservative nature of many of the substitutions between groups with different genomic biases, we suggest that the variations in protein composition driven by biased nucleotide frequencies are an important factor in shaping the characteristic phenotypes of the different viral lineages. A clue to the nature of the evolutionary forces that are responsible for the generation of nucleotide biases was provided by the observation that viruses with radically different base frequencies most often inhabit the same cell type. This observation, along with analysis of amino acid and nucleotide replacement patterns between and within reverse transcriptase sequences from the various groups, permitted us to advance a model for the evolution of retroviruses. According to the model, speciation could initiate when daughter virions from a single progenitor vary in the direction of their mutational bias. These variations would exert a pleiotropic effect on the frequencies of nucleotides in all viral genes and consequently on the frequencies of amino acids in the encoded proteins. The variants with the most extreme compositional differences would have a selective advantage because their different precursor requirements would enable them to occupy different ecological niches within a single cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
FOXO factors: A matter of life and death

Forkhead box O-class (FOXO) transcription factors, including FOXO1, FOXO3a and FOXO4, function as tumor-suppressor proteins by inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptotic cell death and protecting cells from DNA damage and oxidative stress. The potency of these functions is regulated tightly by phosphorylation, acetylation and ubiquitination. Emerging evidence indicates that protein levels of FOXO1 are under dual regulation by Ak-mediated phosphorylation and Skp2-mediated ubiquitination. Given that Akt and Skp2 proteins are highly activated in human cancers due to the loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), deregulation of the FOXO1 protein appears to be a promising target for future drug discovery and cancer therapy.
PREDICTION OF PROGNOSIS IN APLASTIC ANEMIA BY FERRO KINETIC STUDIES

Criteria are needed to identify at diagnosis patients with idiopathic aplastic anemia (AA) who have a poor prognosis, since early bone marrow transplantation may improve their survival. In the past 4 yrs we have studied 11 patients, aged 2-14 yrs (median 7 yrs), with AA. All had pancytopenia and aplastic or markedly hypoplastic bone marrows. In addition to the usual hematologic evaluation, studies with 59Fe were done to measure plasma Fe clearance (FeC) and Fe utilization (FeU). All patients were treated with androgens and received supportive care, Six have died (median survival 8 mos). The others have improved and have a median survival of 25 mos. Significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were found in initial absolute reticulocyte counts (ARC)(p< 025), absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) (p<.005), and %, FeU (p<.002). Values for nonsurvivors were ARC 1.35±0.28(×1010/1), ANC 3.48±0.76(×108/1), and % FeU 8.0±3.3 (mean ± S.E.M.). Survivors had ARC 3.11±0.84, ANC 7.03±1.14, and % FeU 48±14. RBC, WBC, and platelet levels had no predictive value for long term survival. Plasma FeC was prolonged in all, reflecting poor Fe uptake. Of 7 patients who had ARC less than 2.5, ANC less than 5.0 and less than 25% FeU, 6 died. FeU studies characterize the total erythropoietic capacity of the marrow better than aspiration, which is subject to sampling error. These data suggest that poor FeU at diagnosis of AA should be used as one criterion for early bone marrow transplantation.
Testing a Longitudinal Model of the Influence of Family Problem Factors on High Risk Youths' Troubled Behavior: A Replication and Update

ABSTRACT Using data collected in a study of 163 arrested youths processed at a juvenile assessment center, who entered a home based family intervention project, we test a longitudinal, developmental damage model of the relationships between the youths' family problems (including their abuse experiences) and their drug use and delinquent behavior over time. The hypothesized model, specifying family problems affect the youths' problem behavior at Time 1 and Time 2, was supported by the data, involving both self-reports of physical and sexual abuse and official records of physical and sexual abuse, and neglect. Theoretical and policy implications of the results are drawn.
Facile, Noncovalent Decoration of Graphene Oxide Sheets with Nanocrystals

Facile dry decoration of graphene oxide sheets with aerosol Ag nanocrystals synthesized from an arc plasma source has been demonstrated using an electrostatic force directed assembly technique at room temperature. The Ag nanocrystal-graphene oxide hybrid structure was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area diffraction. The ripening of Ag nanocrystals on a graphene oxide sheet was studied by consecutive TEM imaging of the same region on a sample after heating in Ar at elevated temperatures of 100 °C, 200 °C, and 300 °C. The average size of Ag nanocrystals increased and the number density decreased after the annealing process. In particular, migration and coalescence of Ag nanocrystals were observed at a temperature as low as 100 °C, suggesting a van der Waals interaction between the Ag nanocrystal and the graphene oxide sheet. The availability of affordable graphene-nanocrystal structures and their fundamental properties will open up new opportunities for nanoscience and nanotechnology and accelerate their applications.
A coupled multigrid‐domain‐splitting technique for simulating incompressible flows in geometrically complex domains

This paper describes a domain decomposition numerical procedure for solving the Navier-Stokes equations in regions with complex geometries. The numerical method includes a modified version of QUICK (quadratic upstream interpolation convective kinematics) for the formulation of convective terms and a central difference scheme for the diffusion terms. A second-order-accurate predictor-corrector scheme is employed for the explicit time stepping. Although the momentum equations are solved independently on each subdomain, the pressure field is computed simultaneously on the entire flow field. A multigrid technique coupled with a Schwarz-like iteration method is devised to solve the pressure equation over the composite domains. The success of this strategy depends crucially on appropriate methods for specifying intergrid pressure boundary conditions on subdomains. A proper method for exchanging information among subdomains during the Schwarz sweep is equally important to the success of the multigrid solution for the overall pressure field. These methods are described and subsequently applied to two forced convection flow problems involving complex geometries to demonstrate the power and versatility of the technique. The resulting pressure and velocity fields exhibit excellent global consistency. The ability to simulate complex flow fields with this method provides a powerful tool for analysis and prediction of mixing and transport phenomenon.
Assessment of quadriceps/hamstring strength, knee ligament stability, functional and sports activity levels five years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to examine individuals 5 years after ACL reconstruction and analyze changes involving strength, stability, function, and sports activi ties. Nineteen males and six females, mean age =31.4± 7.31 years, participated in this study. Fifteen subjects had received extraarticular and ten subjects had re ceived intraarticular ACL reconstructions. Subjects completed a 100 point subjective functional activity questionnaire and a sports participation survey. Knee ligament stability was assessed during an objective knee examination. Isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were tested at 240 and 120 deg/sec using the Cybex II dynamometer. Anterolateral rotatory instability and positive Lachman were elicited on the operated leg for 80% of the subjects. No significant relationship was found between objective instability and the functional activity score. For the intraarticular group, a significant correlation (P < 0.05) was found between increased quadriceps and hamstring streng...
Determination of Oxycodone, Noroxycodone and Oxymorphone by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Human Matrices: In vivo and In vitro Applications

The opioid analgesic oxycodone is widely abused and increasingly associated with overdose deaths. A sensitive analytical method was developed for oxycodone and its metabolites, noroxycodone and oxymorphone, in human plasma, urine (±enzymatic hydrolysis at 50°C for 16 h) and liver microsomes (HLMs). Liquid-liquid extraction was followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The calibration range was 0.2-250 ng/mL for plasma and HLM and 10-5000 ng/mL for urine. Intra- and interrun accuracies were within 13.3% of target; precisions were within 12.8% for all matrices. Recoveries from plasma were: oxycodone, 75.6%; noroxycodone, 37.4% and oxymorphone, 18.2%. Analytes exhibited room temperature stability in plasma and urine up to 24 h, and freeze-thaw stability in plasma up to three cycles. In 24-h hydrolyzed urine from subjects administered intranasal oxycodone (30 mg/70 kg, n = 5), mean concentrations (ng/mL) and % daily doses excreted were: oxycodone, 1150, 6.53%; noroxycodone, 1330, 7.81% and oxymorphone, 3000, 17.1%. Oxycodone incubated with HLM produced more noroxycodone than oxymorphone. With a panel of recombinant human cytochrome P450s (CYPs), CYP2C18 and CYP3A4 produced the most noroxycodone, whereas CYP2D6 produced the most oxymorphone. These results demonstrate a new method suitable for both in vivo and in vitro metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies of oxycodone.
Pulmonary fungal infections

This review details some of the advances that have been made in the recent decade in the diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of pulmonary fungal infections. These advances have occurred because of increasing knowledge regarding the fungal genome, better understanding of the structures of the fungal cell wall and cell membrane and the use of molecular epidemiological techniques. The clinical implications of these advances are more rapid diagnosis and more effective and less toxic antifungal agents. For example, the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, as well as histoplasmosis and blastomycosis, has improved with the use of easily performed antigen detection systems in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment of angioinvasive moulds has improved with the introduction of the new azoles, voriconazole and posaconazole that have broad antifungal activity. Amphotericin B is less frequently used, and when used is often given as lipid formulation to decrease toxicity. The newest agents, the echinocandins, are especially safe as they interfere with the metabolism of the fungal cell wall, a structure not shared with humans cells. Epidemiological advances include the description of the emergence of Cryptococcus gattii in North America and the increase in pulmonary mucormycosis and pneumonia due to Fusarium and Scedosporium species in transplant recipients and patients with haematological malignancies. The emergence of azole resistance among Aspergillus species is especially worrisome and is likely related to increased azole use for treatment of patients, but also to agricultural use of azoles as fungicides in certain countries.
Optimal sweeping paths on a 2-manifold: a new class of optimization problems defined by path structures

We introduce a class of path optimization problems, which we call "sweeping path problems," found in a wide range of engineering applications. The question is how to find a family of curve segments on a free-form surface that optimizes a certain objective or a cost while respecting specified constraints. For example, when machining a free-form surface, we must ensure that the surface can be machined or swept as quickly as possible while respecting a given geometric tolerance, and while satisfying the speed and the acceleration limits of the motors. The basic requirement of engineering tasks of this type is to "visit" or "cover" an entire area, whereas conventional optimal control theory is largely about point-to-point control. Standard ordinary differential equation-based Lagrangian description formulations are not suitable for expressing or managing optimization problems of this type. We introduce a framework using an Eulerian description method, which leads to partial differential equations. We show that the basic requirement is expressed naturally in this formulation. After defining the problem, we show the connection between the two perspectives. Using this reasoning, we develop the necessary conditions for the optimality of the problem. Finally, we discuss computational approaches for solving the problem.
A Brief Family and Academic Biography of Benson E. Ginsburg

This is a brief personal biography of Benson E. Ginsburg, my friend, colleague and mentor. This is personal in several ways. First, it is about Benson’s family as well as his career. Second, much of what I write is based on discussions with Benson. Third, after 1960, Benson’s story is a big part of my story. I have been there for more than 50 years as it has unfolded.
Free-standing mesoporous titania films with anatase nanocrystallites synthesized at 80 °C

Free-standing 10 µm thick mesoporous titania films containing anatase nanocrystallites have been prepared and their structural evolution as a function of calcination temperature is reported.
Low-Temperature Sintering of SiC Reticulated Porous Ceramics Using Al2O3-SiO2 as Sintering Aids

Currently, one of the most popular methods for the production of reticulated porous ceramics (RPCs) is the polymer sponge method, which was invented by Schwartzwalder and Somers. SiC RPCs can be fabricated by using the A12O3-SiO2 as sintering aids at low temperature as 1200-1300 °C in cases with SiC (20-50 % (mass percent)). However, when the content of SiC powders (relative to total weight of solids) was higher than 50 % (mass percent), the most suitable sintering temperature was higher than 1400 °C. In this work, SiC reticulated porous ceramics (SiC RPCs) was fabricated via the polymer sponge method using Al2O3-SiO2 as sintering aids at 1100-1500 °C. In order to obtain SiC RPCs with optimized mechanical performance, the properties of the slurry and influence of sintering temperature have been investigated. It was found that, rheological properties, solid content of the slurry and sintering temperature all have influence on the physical and mechanical properties of SiC RPCs. In order to achieve optimal properties of SiC RPCs, the optimal pH value ,solid content, sintering temperature and content of silica fume were 11, 73.4 % (mass percent), 1300 °C and 17 % (mass percent), respectively.
Control of diel vertical migration: Photoresponses of a larval crustacean†

The lower threshold for phototaxis of dark-adapted larvae of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii is lo-’ W *m-2 at 500-nm light. This threshold does not change throughout development. In the Newport River estuary (North Carolina), larvae show a pattern of nocturnal vertical migration in which the distribution of later-stage zoeal larvae centers on the lo-’ W .m-2 isolume during the day. The behavioral responses underlying this relationship include a negative geotaxis in darkness which changes to a sinking response in light with a natural underwater distribution. The minimum increase in intensity above the lower threshold which evokes sinking decreases progressively with age. The intensity is well above the phototactic response threshold for stage I zoeae, but within one log unit of threshold for the other three zoeal stages. Thus, during the day larvae are associated with a preferred light level. This association results from a negative geotaxis in darkness that changes to a sinking response upon an increase in light intensity.
Sex reversal effects of environmentally relevant xenobiotic concentrations on the red-eared slider turtle, a species with temperature-dependent sex determination.

Xenobiotics suspected of being estrogenic-the PCB aroclor 1242 and the pesticides toxaphene, dieldrin, p,p'-DDD, cis-Nonachlor, trans-Nonachlor, p,p'-DDE, and chlordane-were examined for their ability to override a male-producing incubation temperature and result in female hatchlings in the red-eared slider, a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination. Compounds were assayed in the environmentally relevant concentrations detected in alligator eggs from Lake Apopka, Florida, singly, in concert with one another, and with estradiol. Compounds assayed alone and resulting in significant sex reversal were trans-Nonachlor, cis-Nonachlor, aroclor 1242, p,p'-DDE, and chlordane. When administered with estradiol, only one of the compounds, chlordane, caused sex reversal at significant levels. When applied together, however, the eight compounds assayed resulted in significant sex reversal.
A Bayesian Network Model of the Consumer Complaint Process

The purpose of this article is to present a Bayesian network model of the consumer complaint process. The outputs of the Bayesian model—conditional probabilities—provide much insight into the deter...
MARIJUANA AND OTHER DRUG USE AMONG AUTOMOBILE AND MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS TREATED AT A TRAUMA CENTER

Serum from injured automobile and motorcycle drivers treated at a trauma center was tested for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol activity to determine precrash marijuana use. From June 1990 to March 1991, samples from approximately 20 automobile drivers per month and all motorcycle drivers were available for testing. Also, toxicology screens were performed for ethyl alcohol, cocaine, and phencyclidine (PCP) among the driver groups. Six (2.7%) of the 225 automobile (AUT) drivers and 34 (32.0%) of the 106 motorcycle (MTC) drivers were THC+ (p < .001). Compared with a prior study, the THC+ rate decreased significantly from 31.8% among AUT drivers (p < .001) but had not changed significantly from the 38.6% rate among MTC drivers. Positive toxicology rates were higher among the 261 MTC drivers compared to the 1,077 AUT drivers tested for ETOH, CO, and PCP, being 47.1% vs 35.2% (p < .001), 5.0% vs 8.0% (p < .08), and 1.5% vs 3.1% (NS), respectively.
Soul Searching Occupations: Critical Reflections on Occupational Therapy’s Commitment to Social Justice, Disability Rights, and Participation

In this chapter we analyze the construct of participation and the reality of participation disparities for people with disabilities. We also critically reflect on the professed role of occupational therapy (OT) in advancing social justice by facilitating disabled people’s participation in society. We begin the chapter by debating the construct of participation as a nuanced, individually-determined phenomenon. We also highlight the futility of attempts to capture this construct through a single magical number or normative comparisons. Taking a more critical perspective, we draw attention to the heterogeneity of participation experiences even among people with disabilities. We follow this with a pitch for pluralized notions of disability participation to include diverse expressions of individually, contextually and culturally-defined interests.
Compelled Commercial Speech as Compelled Consent Speech

This piece argues that rather than grouping compelled commercial speech cases as a class to themselves, it is useful to recognize that most of these cases involve government compelled speech in connection with a sale transaction, and that compelled disclosures in the context of sale transactions are part of a broader group of compelled disclosures in interpersonal transactions. Viewing the cases this way makes a number of points clear. First, governments effectively require communication between parties to commercial transactions all the time as a routine, ordinary and accepted exercise of state police power or of the federal government's Commerce Clause power. Second, there is no basis in the Constitution to limit the deferential review of commercial disclosure requirements to disclosure requirements aimed at correcting deceptive or misleading commercial speech. Rather, those instances are properly viewed as part of a subset of broader government authority to define the facts material to the consent that makes an interpersonal transaction legal and enforceable. Third, recognizing the inherent government power to define the facts material to valid consent makes sense of the subset of compelled commercial speech cases. It identifies the few disclosure requirements that fall out of bounds, and it makes clear that the primary work to be done in the compelled speech jurisprudence is to identify what limits the Constitution places on the types of information governments require commercial speakers to present and how they must present it, not to argue over whether the government has the authority to require disclosures at all - it clearly does.
A Classification of Digital Emergence: A Critical Approach to the Production of Digital Objects in Special Collections

This paper examines the infrastructure of digital libraries and teases out the subtle ways their formation and construction is a digital extension and representation of the social, political, and institutional circumstances by which they are created. Building off lessons learned from UCLA Library Special Collections as a case study site, this paper proposes a classification of digital emergence that provides more transparency about how digital surrogates come to exist in digital libraries and how we can use this information to better contextualize the importance of these surrogates within academic library services. The discussion then situates digital libraries as medial interfacing infrastructures that are fundamentally non-neutral social apparatuses that disappear in the course of daily use. Marcuse’s notion of technological rationality is incorporated to illustrate the extent to which technological infrastructures influence and reformulate the way we understand the research process using special collections and archives, and how these infrastructures can function as a mechanism for information control. Finally, Bowker and Star’s text, Sorting Things Out: Classification and Its Consequences , briefly illustrates how librarians can contextualize the emergence of digital objects, and how this context, and the concomitant technological biases, can be methodologically brought to light using infrastructural inversion.
Silica mesophases intercalated by cross-linked micelles of a sustainable oleyl diamine surfactant and metal ion uptake properties thereof

Sustainable plant-derived N-oleyl-1,3-diaminopropane surfactant micelles cross-linked by divinylbenzene (DVB) have been intercalated in the pores of mesostructured silica and the resulting functionalized mesophases were used to immobilize heavy metal ions through complexation by the diamine head groups. Two methods were used to form the composite surfactant–silica compositions. In the “pre-assembly” approach, the unsaturated amine micelles were first cross-linked in aqueous solution and subsequently used as a structure-directing agent to form the composite silica–polymeric amine mesophase. In the second “post-assembly” approach, the unsaturated amine micelles were used to template the silica mesophase and then cross-linked in situ with DVB within the pores of the composite mesophase. The accessibility of the amine functional groups in the mesophases prepared by both assembly methods was demonstrated through the uptake of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution.
Differential effects of 4-aminopyridine, serotonin, and phorbol esters on facilitation of sensorimotor connections in Aplysia.

Sugita, Shuzo, Douglas A. Baxter, and John H. Byrne. Differential effects of 4-aminopyridine, serotonin, and phorbol esters on facilitation of sensorimotor connections in Aplysia. J. Neurophysiol. ...
From Class to Market: Unionization in East European Ex-Communist Countries, 1990–2006

Purpose – East European ex-communist countries have now experienced nearly two decades of turbulent economic conditions and challenges resulting from the market transition. Since the early 1990s, there has been considerable decline in unionization throughout the region. This study uses information on union membership provided by four waves of the World Values Survey (WVS) to explain trends in unionization in East European ex-communist countries from 1990 to 2006. Methodology/approach – We use random-effects and fixed-effects models to test predictions for three sets of explanations for cross-national and historical variation in unionization: industrialization, globalization, and institutions. Findings – We find a degree of support for all three explanations of union decline. Overall, our analyses reveal the strongest support for industrialization and business cycle explanations. Inflation, unemployment, and urban population growth are all significant factors in shaping patterns of unionization in ex-communist East Europe. Our analyses show that aspects of economic and financial globalization have had significant, negative effects on unionization in the region. Manufacturing imports and foreign direct investment inflows appear to have undermined the position of domestic labor and contributed to declines in union membership. Originality/value of the chapter – Successor and newly independent unions face the twin challenges of gaining public confidence as representatives of workers' interests, and withstanding increasing market pressures and conditions unfavorable for unionization. We provide evidence that without strong institutions to serve as buffers to external economic conditions, unionization levels in East European ex-communist countries are more open to market forces.
The Impact of Job-Protected Leave on Female Leave-Taking and Employment Outcomes

This paper provides evidence on the impact of paid leave legislation on female employment outcomes. Using a difference-in-differences and difference-in-difference-in-differences strategy, I study the impact of two state-level programs in California and New Jersey. This paper is first to exploit the fact that the cost of paid leave in these states is larger for firms with 50 or more employees (who are forced to offer job protection under the federal FMLA) than for firms with 49 or fewer employees. Comparing firms above and below this cutoff, I estimate that paid leave with job protection reduces female hiring by around 1.15 percent in large firms compared to small firms where leaves are unprotected. Women of child-bearing age are most negatively impacted (hiring falls by around 2 percent), as are female employees in industries that are relatively less human capital intensive, like utilities and accommodation and food services.
Analysis of Time Delays in Quadrotor Systems and Design of Control

In analyzing and designing control for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), existence of transmission delays caused by wireless communication is one of the critical challenges. Estimation of the delays and analysis of their effects are not straightforward. A delay estimation method is introduced using transient responses of a quadrotor type of UAVs and analytical solutions of delay differential equations (DDEs). Experimental data sets in the time domain are compared to the predicted ones based on the analytical solutions of DDEs. The Lambert W function-based approach for first-order DDEs is used for the analysis. The dominant characteristic roots among an infinite number of roots are obtained in terms of coefficients and the delay. The effects of the time delay on the responses are analyzed via root locations. Based on the estimation result, proportional- plus-velocity controllers are proposed to improve transient altitude responses.
Simulation and analysis of time-gated monochromatic radiographs of cryogenic implosions on OMEGA

Abstract Spherical polymer shells containing cryogenic DT ice layers have been imploded on the OMEGA Laser System and radiographed using Si backlighter targets (hν = 1.865 keV) driven with 20-ps IR pulses from the OMEGA EP Laser System. We report on a series of implosions in which the deuterium–tritium (DT) shell is imaged for a range of convergence ratios and in-flight aspect ratios. The shadows of the converging DT ice and polymer shells are recorded while the self-emission is minimized using a time-resolved (40-ps) monochromatic crystal imaging system. The images acquired have been analyzed for the level of ablator mixing into the DT fuel (even 0.1% of carbon mix can be reliably inferred). Simulations are compared with measured x-ray radiographs to provide insight into the early time and stagnation stages of an implosion, to guide the modeling efforts to improve the target designs, and to guide the development of this and other imagining techniques, such as Compton radiography.
Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake in Activation of the Permeability Transition Pore and Cell Death

Mitochondrial permeability transition is a phenomenon of sudden increase in the permeability on the inner membrane in response to excessive calcium accumulation inside the mitochondrial matrix. Permeability transition is caused by the opening of the large nonselective channel – mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). mPTP opening leads to the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and, as a result, to the disruption of the ATP synthesis. Prevention of mPTP is protective against stress induced cell death, which makes it a potentially important pharmacological target. Here we review current opinions regarding the molecular structure of mPTP and mechanisms of its activation by calcium. We discuss the importance of calcium-phosphate interactions in the process of mPTP activation. Further we review recently proposed models of mPTP formation that involve participation of the oligomers of the C subunit of the mitochondrial ATP synthase and discuss potential roles of inorganic polyphosphate and calcium in transition of the C subunit oligomers into mPTP channel. Finally, we review potential physiological roles of mPTP.
Ableism/disablism, on dit ça comment en français?

Les concepts « ableism » et « disablism » sont bien connus dans les disability studies et sont de plus en plus utilises par activistes et artistes. Pourtant, ils commencent a peine a emerger dans la litterature francophone. Ces concepts importants ont jusqu’a present ete traduits de diverses facons (capacitisme, handicapisme, incapacitisme et validisme) sans qu’aucune traduction ne parvienne a s’imposer. Cet article fait etat du retard des etudes francophones quebecoise et canadienne sur le handicap et presente les recents developpements relatifs a l’utilisation des concepts de capacitisime et de handicapisme. En tant qu’activiste, chercheure et femme handicapee francophone quebecoise, je soutiens qu’il est necessaire de developper un « isme » en francais pour mieux comprendre l’oppression vecue par les personnes handicapees. The concepts, “ableism” and “disablism” are well known within the field of disability studies, and are being used more often by both activists and artists. However, they are only just starting to emerge in Francophone academic literature with terms such as capactitisme, handicapisme , incapacitisme and valisme. Although beginning to make waves, these terms have yet to be embraced. This article explores the major gap that exists in Francophone disability studies between Quebec and Anglophone Canada, and presents recent developments of the usage of the concepts capacitisme and handicapisme . I will argue, from the stance as an activist, academic, Francophone from Quebec, disabled woman, the need to develop an “ism” in the French language to highlight and give a deeper understanding to the lived oppression of disabled people.
Enzymes of carnitine acylation. Is overt carnitine palmitoyltransferase of liver peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase

Liver mitochondria prepared by differential centrifugation are contaminated by significant quantities of peroxisomes and microsomal fractions. 'Easily solubilized carnitine palmitoyltransferase' prepared from liver mitochondria is thought to originate from the outer surface of the mitochondrial inner membrane. We have characterized the carnitine palmitoyltransferase activities of freeze-thaw extracts of rat liver mitochondrial preparations. Chromatography on Sephadex G-100 yields two broad peaks of carnitine decanoyltransferase activity: one eluted at the end of the void volume, which can be removed (precipitated) by ultracentrifugation; the second peak represents the soluble activity and is eluted at an Mr near 70,000. The activity in the soluble peak is precipitated by an antibody raised against carnitine octanoyltransferase purified from mouse liver peroxisomes. In contrast, antibody raised against carnitine palmitoyltransferase purified from liver mitochondrial membranes had no effect (P. Brady & L. Brady, personal communication). The carnitine acyltransferase activities of the Mr-70,000 peak in the presence or absence of Tween 20 showed maximum activity with decanoyl-CoA and about one-third of this activity with palmitoyl-CoA, similar to peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase. These data show that 7500 g preparations of liver mitochondria isolated by differential centrifugation are enriched by peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase (approx. 20% of the protein of the fraction is peroxisomal) and indicate that this enzyme may be the one reported as 'overt' or 'easily solubilized' mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase.
Application of 17O NMR Spectroscopy to Structural Problems

As a low-abundance, quadrupolar nucleus, 17O has often been overlooked as a viable NMR nucleus for structure determination. The 17O nucleus has, however, proved to be a surprisingly convenient nucleus for study by NMR techniques due to the availability of water and dioxygen enriched in 17O and the relatively small magnitude of the 17O quadrupole moment. This chapter focuses on two practical aspects of 17O NMR spectroscopy. First, methods for optimizing sensitivity and resolution are outlined. Correlations between chemical shift and structural environment are then presented in the context of examples selected from the organometallic, organic, inorganic, and biochemical literature.
1.35 – Connectionist Memory Models of Hippocampal Function

Through connectionist neural network models, direct analogies can be made with memory function in the brain. Connectionist modeling has been applied extensively to the study of the hippocampal system, brain regions intimately involved with context-dependent, episodic, and spatial memory functions in humans and animals. We review neural network models of hippocampal memory function and focus on models that include anatomical and biophysical detail of the hippocampal substrate. We describe common theories and corresponding connectionist models of memory function in layers II, III, and IV of the entorhinal cortex, in hippocampal subregions CA3 and CA1, and in the dentate gyrus, as well as the significant involvement of the medial septum, a source of cholinergic modulating activity. Finally, we describe insights gained in simulation studies with recent integral models of the hippocampal system, in which interacting networks represent multiple subregions of the medial temporal lobes. The integral models enable direct comparison with pharmacological and lesion studies. Models of temporal context-dependent episodic memory explicitly demonstrate effects of cholinergic modulation in phase-locked activity during hippocampal theta rhythm, which may be involved in behavior-related retrospective and prospective activity recorded in hippocampal regions CA3 and CA1.
Army public health and preventive medicine: proactive approaches to readiness

3 From my perspective as the Functional Proponent of Army Preventive Medicine, military public health includes essential elements that contribute to the overall health and well-being of our Soldiers, civilian employees and Families. Successful prevention leads directly to enhanced readiness through health. All Army leaders, Soldiers, civilian employees, and Families have a role in protecting their own health, and the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) has outstanding military and civilian experts ready and able to assist them.
Piecemeal necrosis is due to the immunologic synapse formation and internalization of intact TCR-MHC II complexes by CD4 T cells

The nature of the immunologic synapse in autoimmune hepatitis is defined. This process involves the T cell receptor (TCR) which binds to the hepatocyte antigen presenting major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the plasma membrane. This complex is quickly removed from the liver cell and taken into the T cell cytoplasm to be digested by the lysosome. The liver cell is gradually diminished to the point of its total removal by the lymphocytes binding to it.
The Inmate Transportation Problem and Its Application in the PA Department of Corrections

The Inmate Transportation Problem (ITP) is a common complex problem in any correctional system. We develop a weighted multi-objective mixed integer linear optimization (MILO) model for the ITP. The MILO model optimizes the transportation of the inmates within a correctional system, while considering all legal restrictions and best business practices. We test the performance of the MILO model with real datasets from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADoC) and demonstrate that the inmate transportation process at the PADoC can significantly be improved by using operations research methodologies.
Privatization Trends and Major Deals in 2009

What a year 2009 was for privatization worldwide! One year after witnessing massive injections of government capital into financial systems, 2009 saw a record volume of state sales of corporate equity - or, stated more accurately, a record volume of corporate repurchases of government-owned shares. Privatization proceeds totaled a record €184.30 billion ($265.17 billion) during 2009, but bank repurchases of government holdings of preferred shares accounted for €118.46 billion ($168.8 billion) of this record - or almost two-thirds of the total. Besides the bank share repurchases, the global value of 'classic' privatization deals during 2009 totaled only €65.84 billion ($96.29 billion), the lowest such tally since 2004. For the first time ever, the United States was the world’s largest privatizer during 2009, and the €98.70 billion ($140.10 billion) paid to the U.S Treasury by American banks to redeem TARP equity capital injections accounted for over half of the global privatization total for 2009. During the last half of 2009, European banks also redeemed €18.73 billion ($28.75 billion) worth of preferred shares that had been purchased by governments as part of rescue packages during 2008 and early 2009. As in previous years, China led the world in the value of non-bank privatization deals during 2009, with 79 transactions that raised €20.27 billion ($28.05 billion). The second largest non-bank privatizer was also not a surprise: Russia executed 6 transactions and raised €6.59 billion ($9.12 billion), mostly accounted for by three large asset sales.
Depression and aging with HIV: Associations with health-related quality of life and positive psychological factors.

Abstract Background Depression is prevalent among persons living with HIV (PLWH). This study investigated the relationships between depressive symptomatology, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and positive psychological factors in PLWH and age-matched HIV−individuals. Methods One hundred twenty-two PLWH and 94 HIV− individuals, recruited in three age cohorts (36–45, 46–55, 56–65 years old), completed self-report questionnaires on depressive symptoms (CES-D), HRQoL, and positive psychological factors (resilience, grit, and self-rated successful aging [SRSA]). Participants were classified based on HIV status (H+ vs H−) and elevated depressive symptoms (D+ vs D−) into four groups (H+/D+; H−/D+; H+/D−; H−/D−). Results Fifty-eight percent of PLWH had elevated depressive scores, compared to 33% of HIV- individuals (p Limitations Small sample size within the groups and the cross-sectional nature of the analysis limit the ability to address onset of depressive symptoms in relation to HRQoL or positive psychological factors. Conclusions Among PLWH depressive symptoms show a strong association with HRQoL and positive psychological factors compared to HIV- individuals. In the absence of elevated depressive symptoms, however, PLWH report similar HRQoL and positive psychological factors to HIV- individuals.
Dual function of miR-1248 links interferon induction and calcium signaling defects in Sjögren's syndrome.

Abstract Background Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is one of the most common autoimmune disorders leading to exocrine gland dysfunction. Both immune-dependent processes – like Type I Interferon (IFN) signaling and immune-independent processes – such as calcium signaling in epithelial cells – contribute to disease pathophysiology. However, a mechanistic link between these processes has not been demonstrated. Methods Primary human salivary gland cells were used to evaluate the differential expression of miRNAs with smRNA-seq in primary epithelial cells culture and digital PCR was conducted in SS human salivary glands (SG) biopsies to verify the results. With siRNA screening and pull-down assays to establish the role of miRNA in IFN activation. Findings Activation of IFN-β by miR-1248 is through the direct association with both RIG-I and AGO2. Further functional studies establish a unique dual functional role of miR-1248 in phSG cells: i) activation of the RIG-I pathway by acting as ligand of this sensor leading to IFN production and ii) regulation of the expression of mRNAs through the canonical microRNA function. Importantly, ITPR3, a key component of calcium signaling in epithelial cells, that has previously shown to be downregulated in SS SG, was directly targeted and downregulated by miR-1248, inducing the same functional calcium signaling changes as observed in SS SGs. Interpretation Identification of the first endogenous mammalian microRNA that binds to RIG-I inducing IFN production but also demonstrate a novel pathophysiological underlying mechanism in which miR-1248 overexpression links two major pathways associated with SS, namely activation of IFN production with modulation of calcium signaling. Together, these findings suggest a unifying hypothesis for the immune-independent and -dependent processes contributing to the pathogenesis of SS. Fund This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).
A Textual Analysis of Chinese Netizens’ Reactions to Counter-Terrorism Reports on The People’s Daily from 2010 to 2017

Studies show that compared to their American counterparts, Chinese authorities and media have less interest in global terrorist groups. Instead, the Chinese government uses global counter-terrorism as an ideology to strike on Muslim separates in Xinjiang, an autonomy bordering Afghanistan where the majority of residents are Uywur. It has taken years for the Chinese government to finally relate global counter-terrorism efforts to its domestic counter-separatism strategies. On December 27, 2015, the 18th Session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress passed the Anti-Terrorism Law of the People’s Republic of China. Major western media outlets such as Reuters, Washington Post, and New York Times immediately covered the news, and many critics feared that China was “overreacting” and called the law “controversial.” This paper analyzes The People’s Daily’s coverage on counter-terrorism events and reporting and how the netizens of “A Prosperous Nation Forum” react to it. The implications of China’s media coverage and audience responses to global counter-terrorism and domestic terrorism are suggested.
Expression and significance of β-catenin in the nucleus pulposus of rabbit lumber intervertebral disc degeneration model induced with tumor necrosis factor-α

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin in the nucleus pulposus of rabbit lumber intervertebral disc degeneration model induced with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and to clear whether there is a relationship between canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and TNF-α in the model. Methods Twelve healthy white rabbits (2. 5-3. 0 kg) were selected randomly. L2-I5 lumber intervertebral discs of each rabbit were exposed. 0. 9% NaCl ( as control) and various concentrations of TNF-α (5 , 10 and 20 ng/μl) were injected to discs respectively. The models were randomly divided into 4 groups by concentration of TNF-α. The nucleus pulposus was obtained after 8 weeks. The expression of β-catenin protein was detected by Western blotting and HE-Safranin-0 staining was done to clear the degree of degeneration. Results (1) The expression of β-catenin protein in TNF-α groups was obviously higher than that in control group. The ratio of β-catenin /β-actin protein in control group, TNF-α 5 ng group, TNF-α 10 ng group and TNF-α 20 ng group was 0. 142 ± 0. 036, 0. 351 ± 0. 041, 0. 472 ± 0. 052 and 0.710 ±0.063 respectively (P<0. 05). (2) HE-Safranin-0 staining showed that the number of nucleus pulposus cells was reduced, cell framework was broken down in TNF-α groups, and the degree of degeneration was related to the concentrations of TNF-α. Conclusion The expression of β-catenin protein was increased in the nucleus pulposus of rabbit lumber intervertebral disc degeneration model induced with TNF-α, and the degree of degeneration was TNF-α concentration-dependent, which demonstrated that canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway could be induced by TNF-α in rabbit lumber intervertebral disc degeneration model. Key words: β-catenin; Wnt pathway; Intervertebral disc degeneration