cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cryo-EM visualization of an active high open probability CFTR anion channel

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel, crucial to epithelial salt and water homeostasis, and defective due to mutations in its gene in patients with cystic fibrosis, is a unique member of the large family of ATP-binding cassette transport proteins. Regulation of CFTR channel activity is stringently controlled by phosphorylation and nucleotide binding. Structural changes that underlie transitions between active and inactive functional states are not yet fully understood. Indeed the first 3D structures of dephosphorylated, ATP-free, and phosphorylated ATP-bound states were only recently reported. Here we have determined the structure of inactive and active states of a thermally stabilized CFTR, the latter with a very high channel open probability, confirmed after reconstitution into proteoliposomes. These structures, obtained at nominal resolution of 4.3 and 6.6 A, reveal a unique repositioning of the transmembrane helices and regulatory domain density that provide insights into the structural transition between active and inactive functional states of CFTR. Moreover, we observe an extracellular vestibule that may provide anion access to the pore due to the conformation of transmembrane helices 7 and 8 that differs from the previous orthologue CFTR structures. In conclusion, our work contributes detailed structural information on an active, open state of the CFTR anion channel.
Probing Activated and Non-Activated Single Calmodulin Molecules under a Piconewton Compressive Force

Interrogating the protein structure–function inter-relationship under a piconewton force manipulation has been highly promising and informative. Although protein conformational changes under pulling force manipulations have been extensively studied, protein conformational changes under a compressive force have not been explored in detail. Using our home-modified sensitive and high signal-to-noise atomic force microscopy (AFM) approach, we have applied a piconewton compressive force, manipulating a Calmodulin (CaM) molecule to characterize two different forms of CaM, the Ca2+-ligated activated form and the Ca2+ free non-activated form (apo-CaM). We observed sudden and spontaneous structural rupture of apo-CaM under compressive force applied by an AFM tip, though no such events were recorded in the case of Ca2+-ligated activated CaM form. The sudden spontaneous structural rupture under a piconewton force compression has never been reported before, which presents an unexplored function that is likely importa...
Education, Revolution, and Nation-building

This chapter examines the degree to which the nationalistic revolution in Peru is actually capable of achieving basic socioeconomic changes. Because educational rationalization is primarily a function rather than a determinant of such change, one should first determine its extent. Peru's military government seeks a radical transformation of the social, economic, and political system. At the same time, it is attempting to inculcate a new moral identity via and in the cult of nationalism. In revolutionary Peru, the emphasis, at present, is on the new morality, that is, the need to place social needs over individual gain, the substitution of rational planning for politics, and the creation of an integrated and just nation-state to include all Peruvians. Peruvian society and education are presently undergoing a period of intense transitory change, the ultimate outcome of which is unknown. The doubters stress that if the revolution is to become more than just the same old idealistic rhetoric, it would need money, brains, and will.
Realizations of the sewing identities

Roughly speaking, the main theorem of this work says that a vertex operator algebra is equivalent to a projective linear realization of the moduli space equipped with the sewing operation of spheres with tubes. Thus if we have a vertex operator algebra, any identity in the moduli space will give a corresponding identity for the vertex operator algebra. In particular, the sewing identities we obtained in Section 2.2 should give corresponding identities for the vertex operator algebra. It turns out that logically we in fact have to prove these corresponding identities first. In this chapter, we prove these identities corresponding to the sewing identities for any representation of the Virasoro algebra. In the case that the representation is of positive energy, we obtain stronger results since in this case only one or two formal variable is needed, not infinitely many. We assume that the reader has some knowledge of universal enveloping algebras (see e.g. [J1]).
Innate immune responses in viral encephalitis.

Innate immunity in the central nervous system (CNS) is essential in host responses to pathogens. The brain does not have the continuous monitoring by T cells engaged in immune surveillance nor the lymphatic drainage that are characteristic of the periphery. Similarly, the brain has specialized non-renewing neurons, and thus the effector mechanisms of the peripheral immune system which permit swelling (incompatible with a bony skull) and eliminate infected cells by apoptosis are modified.
Insect Hypertrehalosemic Hormone: Structure-Activity Studies in Blaberus discoidalis

Hypertrehalosemic hormone (HTH, Bld-HrTH) is a decapeptide member of the AKH-RPCH family of neuropeptides as indicated by its structure.
Effects of Increased Dietary Protein on Daily Appetite Control, Satiety, and Free-living Ad Libitum Food Intake during Acute Energy Restriction in Healthy, Overweight Women

BackgroundHigher-protein (HP) energy restriction (ER) diets improve body composition and weight management to a greater extent than standard-protein (SP) versions. Improvements in appetite and sati...
News coverage of human rights: Investigating determinants of media attention:

In an empirical assessment of determinants of international news, this study tests the theory that human rights abuses elicit media attention commensurate to the violence. To evaluate this proposit...
Algorithmic cosmopolitanism: on the global claims of digital entertainment platforms

ABSTRACTStreaming entertainment services Netflix and Spotify sell themselves as stewards of a benevolent form of globalization characterized by liberal-cosmopolitan ideals of international connecti...
Repeat Coronary Bypass Surgery or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After Previous Surgical Revascularization.

Abstract Objective To assess long-term survival with repeat coronary artery bypass grafting (RCABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with previous CABG. Methods From January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2013, 1612 Mayo Clinic patients underwent RCABG (n=215) or PCI (n=1397) after previous CABG. The RCABG cohort was grouped by use of saphenous vein grafts only (n=75), or with additional arterial grafts (n=140); the PCI cohort by, bare metal stents (BMS; n=628), or drug-eluting stents (DES; n=769), and by the treated target into native coronary artery (n=943), bypass grafts only (n=338), or both (n=116). Multivariable regression and propensity score analysis (n=280 matched patients) were used. Results In multivariable analysis, the 30-day mortality was increased in RCABG versus PCI patients (hazard ratio [HR], 5.32; 95%CI, 2.34-12.08; P Conclusion RCABG is associated with improved long-term survival after previous CABG, especially compared with PCI involving bypass grafts.
Feasibility and Initial Efficacy of a Cognitive-Behavioral Summer Treatment for Young Children with ASD

This study tested the feasibility and initial efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral summer treatment (summerMAXyc) for high-functioning young children, ages 4–6 years, with ASD (HFASD; without intellectual disability). The treatment was conducted 5 days per week, 6 h per day, over 5 weeks in the summer and included skills instruction and therapeutic activities targeting social/social-communication skills, facial-emotion recognition, and interest expansion. Skills instruction sessions and therapeutic activities utilized direct instruction, modeling, role-play, performance feedback, and repeated practice. A behavioral system was also implemented to increase skills development and reduce ASD symptoms and disruptive behaviors, and parents participated in weekly parent training. Feasibility was supported in high levels of treatment fidelity and child, parent, and staff clinician satisfaction, and there was no attrition or adverse events/responses. Results of the primary outcome measure (coding of the children’s social performance by naive raters) indicated that 10 of the 12 children were treatment responders (d = 1.76). Significant post-treatment improvements were also found on secondary measures (parent and staff clinician ratings) of social/social-communication skills and ASD symptoms, as well as a range of adaptive behaviors (effect sizes in the medium and large ranges). Results supported the feasibility of the treatment and suggested that it may yield positive outcomes for 4–6 year olds with HFASD. Recommendations for ongoing testing are provided.
Incidental durotomy: predictive risk model and external validation of natural language process identification algorithm.

Objective Incidental durotomy is a common complication of elective lumbar spine surgery seen in up to 11% of cases. Prior studies have suggested patient age and body habitus along with a history of prior surgery as being associated with an increased risk of dural tear. To date, no calculator has been developed for quantifying risk. Here, the authors' aim was to identify independent predictors of incidental durotomy, present a novel predictive calculator, and externally validate a novel method to identify incidental durotomies using natural language processing (NLP). Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent elective lumbar spine procedures at a tertiary academic hospital for degenerative pathologies between July 2016 and November 2018. Data were collected regarding surgical details, patient demographic information, and patient medical comorbidities. The primary outcome was incidental durotomy, which was identified both through manual extraction and the NLP algorithm. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of incidental durotomy. Bootstrapping was then employed to estimate optimism in the model, which was corrected for; this model was converted to a calculator and deployed online. Results Of the 1279 elective lumbar surgery patients included in this study, incidental durotomy occurred in 108 (8.4%). Risk factors for incidental durotomy on multivariable logistic regression were increased surgical duration, older age, revision versus index surgery, and case starts after 4 pm. This model had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.73 in predicting incidental durotomies. The previously established NLP method was used to identify cases of incidental durotomy, of which it demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC 0.97). Conclusions Using multivariable analysis, the authors found that increased surgical duration, older patient age, cases started after 4 pm, and a history of prior spine surgery are all independent positive predictors of incidental durotomy in patients undergoing elective lumbar surgery. Additionally, the authors put forth the first version of a clinical calculator for durotomy risk that could be used prospectively by spine surgeons when counseling patients about their surgical risk. Lastly, the authors presented an external validation of an NLP algorithm used to identify incidental durotomies through the review of free-text operative notes. The authors believe that these tools can aid clinicians and researchers in their efforts to prevent this costly complication in spine surgery.
Abstract B31: A preprocessing filter to improve superparamagnetic relaxometry (SPMR)-based early tumor detection

The early detection of aggressive forms of ovarian cancer before they metastasize is critical for reducing overall mortality from the disease. Superparamagnetic relaxometry (SPMR) is an imaging technique useful for visualizing early-stage tumors with high sensitivity and specificity. It uses superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to detect targeted superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) that visualize tumors ten times smaller than what conventional imaging techniques can. However, the ultra-sensitivity of SQUIDs increases their risk of distortion due to far-field artifacts. Therefore, a preprocessing filter was developed to mitigate far-field, low-frequency disturbances to SQUID signal acquisition. This is based on the hypothesis that correcting SQUID signal acquisition using a magnetometer for far-field detection will increase the accuracy of SPMR for early tumor detection. The hypothesis was tested in three steps. First, it was shown that the magnetometer (MAG) could specifically detect far-field noise and effectively avoid nanoparticle signatures. Second, high- and low-frequency noise was induced to show that far-field artifacts in the MAG signal correlated with distortions in the SQUID channels. Therefore, a processing filter was developed to parse through and parameterize MAG signal extrema to SQUID signal distortions. A series of further optimization steps included anchoring the MAG signal to respective channels, modeling and subtracting the component of structural (environmental) relaxation, and constraining a general subtraction window. Third, success was measured by the image reconstruction accuracy of sources with various nanoparticle concentrations, using the HSPMR dipole-fitting technique. Overall, the MAG-filter increased reconstruction accuracy more effectively with decreasing nanoparticle signal; accuracy increased the most at very low concentrations (~1ug). Therefore, these preliminary data indicate that the MAG-filter increases SPMR sensitivity for low concentrations representative of very small clusters of cells, typical of early disease stages. Future work will further optimize this initial filter to work uniformly and effectively across different nanoparticle concentrations (and tumor sizes) and translate this technology to highly sensitive early and sparse tumor detection. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Mehdi Baqri, Sri Kandala, David Fuentes. A preprocessing filter to improve superparamagnetic relaxometry (SPMR)-based early tumor detection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Evolving Landscape of Cancer Modeling; 2020 Mar 2-5; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B31.
Limited hydrolysis of dehulled walnut (Juglans regia L.) proteins using trypsin: Functional properties and structural characteristics

Abstract The effect of limited trypsin hydrolysis on the functional properties and structural characteristics of dehulled walnut proteins (DWP) were studied. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) of DWP was set at 1, 3 and 7.1%. Solubility was higher in all hydrolysates than the native protein, 7.1% DH showed the best protein solubility at 74.8% at pH 7. All hydrolysates showed better functional properties than DWP, including emulsifying properties, foaming capacity and stability, but no improvement of water absorption capacity was observed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) confirmed the reduction in the molecular weight and the presence of protein bands having an MW
Chineseness and Cantonese tones in post-1997 Hong Kong

Abstract This article explores the ideological selection of linguistic features as emblems. Building on the notion of raciolinguistic enregisterment, it examines why the Cantonese tone system, rather than some other linguistic feature, has lately transformed into an emblem of the Han race, Chineseness, and Hongkongers. Three characteristics of Cantonese tones facilitate this transformation: their multifaceted nature, their indexical expansiveness, and the ‘storiability’ of their indexical meanings. The indexical linkages that Cantonese tones evoke fit into a myth of Cantonese superiority, which speaks to many Hongkongers' anxiety resulting from the recent rise of mainland China and the concomitant decline of their city.
Microstructural evolution of Fe–20Cr–30Ni–2Nb–5Al AFA steel during creep at 760 °C

Abstract The microstructural evolution of an alumina-forming austenitic stainless-steel Fe–20Cr–30Ni–2Nb–5Al (at. %) was investigated after creep at 760 °C. It was found that the secondary creep rate was correlated with changes in the microstructure. During creep, both Laves phase and B2 precipitates in the matrix both coarsened and increased in volume fraction. In addition, nano-sized L12-structured Ni3Al precipitates nucleated and then coarsened and increased in volume fraction during creep. Grain boundary coverage by Laves phase and B2 precipitates increased during creep, and a precipitate free zone (PFZ) formed along the grain boundaries at creep times great than 2000 h. The creep rate decreased for times up to ~2000 h primarily due to strengthening from the L12 precipitates, with grain boundary strengthening playing a minor role. At longer times, there was a slight increase in creep rate, due to the coarsening of precipitates in the matrix and the formation of the PFZ.
The Dilemma of Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise: An Exercise:

Social equilibriums can be both positively and negatively affected through the actions of social enterprises and social entrepreneurs and have both intended and unintended consequences. Many learne...
Lower Bounds for Percentiles of Pivots from a Sample Mean Standardized by S, the GMD, the MAD, or the Range in a Normal Distribution and Miscellany with Data Analysis

This paper begins with a one-sample normal problem and considers a number of pivots, generically denoted by H, obtained from the sample mean (\(\overline{X}\)) when it is successively standardized by the following statistics: (i) sample standard deviation (S), (ii) Gini’s mean difference (GMD), (iii) mean absolute deviation (MAD), and (iv) range (R). In each case, we have developed useful and explicit lower bounds for the upper \(100\alpha \%\) point for the probability distribution of H, \(0<\alpha <\frac{1}{2}\). We should emphasize that we are able to do so even though we do not quite explicitly know tractable probability distributions of H when \(\overline{X}\) is standardized by the GMD, the MAD, or the range. Next, we move to a corresponding two-sample normal problem under unknown and unequal variances, commonly known as the Behrens-Fisher situation. We have developed two useful and explicit lower bounds for the upper \(100\alpha \%\) point for the requisite pivotal distribution associated with the difference of two independent and central Student’s t random variables. In both one-sample and two-sample problems, we have carefully examined the closeness of our new-found lower bounds compared with the upper \(100\alpha \%\) point (or its accurate estimate) associated with the pivotal distributions via data analysis.
Recent Trends in Software Development: Low-Code Solutions

This paper mainly serves as a summary of the recent software development trend of low-code platforms. It discusses many uses of the applications, company created low-code programs, and risks and benefits in using low-coding solutions. I reach the conclusion that low-coding is still gaining momentum and will continue to increase and develop in the future. This may in fact be the future of most coding experience.
Development of a Long Term Viable Dynamic Data Archive Format

For nearly forty years, the Universal File Format has served as a de facto standard for cross platform data interchange and archiving. However, as technology has progressed, the aging nature of this eighty character ASCII FORTRAN card image based format has become problematic. As a result, with the ever increasing legal requirements of long term record keeping, a flexible, open definition file format suitable for viable long term archiving of data and results, which is not dependent upon any particular hardware or operating system environment has become necessary. This paper focuses upon the various (sometimes conflicting) issues involved in the decision process and the resulting principal identified features necessary for realistic, long term reliable recovery of information and successful community adoption.
Fusion Partners for Production of Human Monoclonal Antibodies

The technology for production of murine monoclonal antibodies has advanced enormously since its introduction by Kohler and Milstein (1975). However, the production of human monoclonal antibodies by fusion technologies has been hampered, mainly by the current scarcity of suitable human cell lines as fusion partners. Hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT)-sensitive murine plasmacytomas have been fused with human lymphocytes to yield mouse-human hybrids that secrete human antibody against the Forssman antigen (Nowinski et al., 1980), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) (Lane et al., 1982), tetanus toxoid (Kozbor et al.,1982b; Butler et al., 1983), human tumor-associated antigen (Schlom et al.,1980; Sikora and Wright, 1981; Sikora and Phillips, 1981), and multiple endocrine organs (Satoh et al., 1983). These interspecies hybridomas preferentially segregate human chromosomes, making it difficult to derive stable lines secreting human antibody. However, the loss of human chromosomes from mouse-human hybridomas is not random. It is known, for example, that human chromosomes 14 (heavy chain) and 22 (λ light chain) are preferentially retained, whereas chromosome 2 (κ chain) is preferentially lost (Croce et al.,1979; Erikson et al., 1981).
Papillary adenofibroma of the uterus. Report of a case involved by adenocarcinoma and review of the literature.

An unusual case of uterine papillary adenofibroma involved by an invasive well-differentiated adenocarcinoma is reported. The diagnosis was established using a hysterectomy specimen from a 68-year-old woman who was initially examined for abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The tumor was a broad-based polypoid mass composed of papillary projections into clefts and cysts. These papillations were covered by a variety of epithelial types and focally involved by an infiltrating adenocarcinoma. The stroma was fibrous and collagenized with variable numbers of benign fibroblasts. The papillary adenofibroma is considered to be a benign mixed tumor of Mullerian origin. Fifteen other cases of uterine adenofibroma have been reported in the literature and only one of these was focally involved by an adenocarcinoma. The clinical and histologic features of this rare disease are reviewed.
The image of the God to whom we pray: An evolutionary psychobiological perspective

Based on knowledge generated through our outer senses and with our use of reasoning and within the scientific discipline of evolutionary psychobiology we can make a reasonable presumption about God. The presumption concerns the image of the God to whom we pray. In the behavior that we use in the non-vocal aspect of petitioning prayer we (all persons of the three Abrahamic faiths) relate behaviorally in our «body language» to God as though He is a high status male Lord rather than how modern children relate to a loving father. We do this even though «Father» is used for God in the various English translations of the New Testament an order of magnitude more than the term «LORD». How this paradox could have developed and how it is resolved is presented
cDNA cloning and characterization of a vitamin D3 hydroxylase-associated protein

We previously reported the generation of monoclonal antibodies which immunoprecipitate a fraction of the total chick kidney 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24R-hydroxylase activity. These antibodies were used to screen a chick kidney lambda gt11 cDNA library resulting in the isolation of a full-length cDNA encoding a protein that is not the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24R-hydroxylase but another protein we term the vitamin D3 hydroxylase-associated protein (VDHAP). The deduced amino acid sequence agreed with an NH2-terminal amino acid sequence from the isolated VDHAP. Gene and protein bank search did not identify homology to known sequences or functional domains in the VDHAP cDNA. VDHAP mRNA levels are not altered by conditions which either induce 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24R-hydroxylase activity (78-fold) or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase activity (30-fold). Northern analysis of poly(A)+ RNA from chick tissues revealed VDHAP only in kidney. Cellular fractionation experiments demonstrated that VDHAP and the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase are colocalized in the inner membrane of mitochondria. The VDHAP antibody immunoprecipitates 14% of the total 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24R-hydroxylase activity (7-fold over background) and immunoprecipitates 21% of the total 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase activity (2-fold over background). VDHAP is a novel chick kidney-specific inner membrane protein of mitochondria, which associates with a fraction of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24R-hydroxylase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase.
Tissue-Specific Bioenergetic Effects and Increased Enzymatic Activities Following Acute Sublethal Peroral Exposure to Cyanide in the Mallard Duck

Protection of wildlife and in particular migratory birds, which are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, from cyanide waste in and around gold mining operations is an important environmental issue. We have investigated the bioenergetic effects of sublethal peroral cyanide exposure using the mallard duck (Anus platyrhynchos) as a model migratory bird. At cyanide concentrations well below levels considered safe by the mining industry and some regulatory agencies (50 ppm weak acid dissociable (WAD) cyanide) significant depletions of heart, liver, and brain tissue ATP levels were observed. Tissue ATP levels were restored to normal by 24 hr postexposure. Rhodanese and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase activities were determined in these tissues both for basal activity and post-cyanide exposure. Only brain tissue showed increased enzymatic activity following cyanide exposure, suggesting tissue-specific regulation of these enzymatic activities. These studies suggest that 50 ppm WAD cyanide is not a safe level of cyanide in water where avian wildlife exposure can occur.
A formal framework for processes inspired by the functioning of living cells

Natural Computing is concerned with both human-designed computing inspired by nature and computing taking place in nature. The former research strand investigates computational techniques, models of computation and computational devices inspired by nature. The latter research strand investigates, in terms of information processing, processes taking place in nature.
Relationship between PPARα activation and NO on proximal tubular Na+ transport in the rat

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates renal proximal tubular (PT) Na+ handling through modulation of Na+-K+ ATPase. Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptorα (PPARα), a nuclear transcription factor, is expressed in PTs and has been reported to influence NO generation/activity in renal tissues. This study tested the hypothesis that PPARα interacts with NO and thereby affects renal tubular Na+ transport. Urinary excretion of nitrite (UNOXV) and Na+ (UNaV) and PT Na+ transport (Na+-K+ ATPase activity) were determined in rats treated with clofibrate (250 mg/kg i.p) or WY14643 (45 mg/kg; i.p.), a PPARα ligand, 2% NaCl (orally), clofibrate/NaCl, L-NAME, an inhibitor of NO production (100 mg/kg; orally), L-NAME/Clofibrate. Clofibrate or WY14643 increased PPARα expression by 106 ± 7% (p < 0.05) and 113 ± 8% (p < 0.05), respectively. Similarly, clofibrate and WY14643 increased expression of MCAD, a downstream target protein of PPARα by 123 ± 8% (p < 0.05) and 143 ± 8% (p < 0.05), respectively. L-NAME attenuated clofibrate-induced increase in PPARα expression by 27 ± 2% (p < 0.05) but did not affect MCAD expression. UNOXV excretion increased 3–4 fold in rats treated with clofibrate, WY14643 or NaCl from 44 ± 7 to 170 ± 15, 144 ± 18 or 132 ± 11 nmol/24 hr, respectively (p < 0.05). Similarly, clofibrate, WY14643 or NaCl elicited a 2–5 fold increase in UNaV. L-NAME significantly reduced basal UNOXV and UNaV and abolished the clofibrate-induced increase. Clofibrate, WY14643, NaCl or clofibrate + NaCl treatment reduced Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the PT by 89 ± 23, 62 ± 10, 43 ± 9 and 82 ± 15% (p < 0.05), respectively. On the contrary, L-NAME or ODQ, inhibitor of sGC, abolished the inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity by clofibrate (p < 0.05). Clofibrate either alone or with NaCl elicited ~2-fold increase in the expression of the α1 subunit of Na+-K+ ATPase in the PT while L-NAME abolished clofibrate-induced increase in Na+-K+ ATPase expression. These data suggest that PPARα activation, through increased NO generation promotes renal excretion of Na+ through reduced Na+-K+ ATPase activity in the PT probably via post translational modification of Na+-K+-ATPase.
Land Registration and Gender Equality in Ethiopia: How State–Society Relations Influence the Enforcement of Institutional Change

In recent years, the Ethiopian government has introduced reforms to promote gender equality in land rights, including legislative changes and a land registration programme that requires the names of both husbands and wives on certificates. This paper examines implementation of these reforms through a case-based approach that links national policy processes to analysis of two village-level case studies, based on fieldwork conducted in 2009–10. In both cases, government initiatives do appear to have enhanced women's land rights to a certain degree. However, the causal process involved is considerably more complex than the direct link between titling and women's land rights that is assumed in much of the existing literature. The cases suggest that government initiatives are contingent upon state–society relations, and that change to informal institutions and power relations within society can constitute an important complement to land registration.
Double layers in the downward current region of the aurora

Abstract. Direct observations of magnetic-field-aligned (parallel) electric fields in the downward current region of the aurora provide decisive evidence of naturally occurring double layers. We report measurements of parallel electric fields, electron fluxes and ion fluxes related to double layers that are responsible for particle acceleration. The observations suggest that parallel electric fields organize into a structure of three distinct, narrowly-confined regions along the magnetic field (B). In the "ramp" region, the measured parallel electric field forms a nearly-monotonic potential ramp that is localized to ~ 10 Debye lengths along B. The ramp is moving parallel to B at the ion acoustic speed (vs) and in the same direction as the accelerated electrons. On the high-potential side of the ramp, in the "beam" region, an unstable electron beam is seen for roughly another 10 Debye lengths along B. The electron beam is rapidly stabilized by intense electrostatic waves and nonlinear structures interpreted as electron phase-space holes. The "wave" region is physically separated from the ramp by the beam region. Numerical simulations reproduce a similar ramp structure, beam region, electrostatic turbulence region and plasma characteristics as seen in the observations. These results suggest that large double layers can account for the parallel electric field in the downward current region and that intense electrostatic turbulence rapidly stabilizes the accelerated electron distributions. These results also demonstrate that parallel electric fields are directly associated with the generation of large-amplitude electron phase-space holes and plasma waves.
Neurogenic control of muscle ribosomal protein synthesis.

In vitro protein synthesis of ribosomes extracted from leg muscles of 20 Sprague-Dawley rats denervated 3 and 14 days (high sciatic transections) and 10 control rats was studied. The concentration/mg protein of total ribosomes extracted from the 14-day denervated muscle showed a significant increase. Distribution of muscle polyribosomes on sucrose density gradients was normal in all cases. Noncollagen protein synthesis of the heavy polyribosomes from both early and late denervated muscles showed a significant decrease. SDS polyacrylamide gels suggested that this decrease affected the synthesis of heavy chains of myosin, while the light chains of myosin, actin and tropomyosin had normal structure and amounts. Collagen synthesis of heavy polyribosomes showed slight to moderate increase in only 50 per cent of the cases. Supplementation of ribosomes extracted from denervated muscles with normal muscle soluble enzymes increased their noncollagen synsthesis by 66 per cent. This suggests that the neurogenic control of ribosomal protein synthesis is accomplished by hormonal trophic substances contained in the muscle soluble enzymes.
A 5-year follow-up study of hospital breastfeeding policies in the Philadelphia area: a comparison with the ten steps.

The purpose of this study was to describe the current status of hospital breastfeeding policies and practices in the Philadelphia area, to assess hospitals’current implementation levels of the Ten ...
Reproductive factors and colon cancer: the influences of age, tumor site, and family history on risk (Utah, United States)

The Utah (United States) Population Database was used to evaluate the associations between reproductive factors and colon cancer risk and the impact that family history, age at diagnosis, and tumor site have on these associations. From the cohort of (White) women in the database, all first-primary cases of colon cancer (n=819) and controls who had complete fertility information (n=3, 202) were examined. The majority of tumors (68.6 percent) among women diagnosed at age 64 years or less were in the distal segment of the colon, while among women 65 or older, the majority of tumors (55.7 percent) were proximal. Women diagnosed before age 65 had a lower risk of colon cancer with increasing numbers of liveborn children (odds ratio [OR]=0.6, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]=0.3–0.9 for women with five or more children compared with women with one or two children). A long interval between first and second births (first birth-interval) was associated with increased risk of tumors in the distal segment of the colon (OR=1.4, CI=1.0–2.0) and among women diagnosed before age 65 (OR=1.6, CI=1.0–2.5); a longer, average birth-interval was associated with increased risk of proximal tumors (OR=1.5, CI=1.1–2.1). A longer, first birth-interval increased the risk associated with a family history of colon cancer, as did a longer average birth-interval and an older age at first or last birth. From these data, it appears that reproductive factors have heterogeneous effects on the risk of colon cancer that vary with age at diagnosis, tumor site, and family history of disease.
Complex segregation analysis of hyperalphalipoproteinemia

Abstract The impression of earlier workers, that most, if possibly not all, cases of familial hyperalphalipoproteinemia are due to multifactorial inheritance is supported by segregation analysis which by a likelihood ratio criterion identifies three exceptional families requiring further investigation.
The Determinants of Palestinians' Attitudes Toward Peace with Israel

This study explains the variations in the Palestinians' support of the peace process with Israel. It uses multivariate Logit analysis, employing a large public opinion poll conducted in January 2000. It tests seven hypotheses, drawn from various perspectives, on the conditions of Palestinian support of or opposition to the peace process. The study supports several of our hypotheses including the positive association between the Palestinians' perceptions of democracy and the support of peace and Palestinian women's support of the peace process. These results are important because they reconfirm the findings of the vast international relations literature, which established a strong linkage between democracy and peace and that women are more peace-oriented than men. The study further suggests that the Palestinians associate their support of the peace process positively with their trust of domestic political institutions, a sound nation-building process, and governmental public accountability, and negatively with the perception of governmental corruption. It also reveals that the Palestinians' positive evaluation of their domestic institutions and Israel's commitment to a just and fair settlement to the conflict are more important determinants of the support of the peace process than efforts to improve their economic conditions and that the economic conditions have, at best, a small impact upon the support of or the opposition to peace. Lastly, the study points to the presence of a positive relationship between support of the peace process and each of political institutionalization, party identification, and the second level of leaders. This finding points to an emerging trend among Palestinians toward political maturation and stabilization of their domestic politics.
Sodium Surfeit and Potassium Deficit: Keys to the Pathogenesis of Hypertension

The pathogenic role of Na(+) in primary hypertension is widely recognized but that of K(+) remains unappreciated. Yet, extensive evidence indicates that together, the body's dominant cations constitute the chief environmental factor in the pathogenesis of hypertension and its cardiovascular sequelae. In this Review, we provide a synthesis of the determinants of Na(+) retention and K(+) loss developing in the body as the Na(+)-rich and K(+)-poor modern diet interacts with kidneys intrinsically poised to conserve Na(+) and excrete K(+); and the molecular pathways utilized by these disturbances in the central nervous system and the periphery to increase sympathetic tone and vascular resistance, and establish hypertension. These fresh insights point to new directions for targeted pharmacotherapy of hypertension. The interdependency of Na(+) and K(+) in the pathogenesis of hypertension indicates that Na(+) restriction and increased K(+) intake are important strategies for the primary prevention and treatment of hypertension and its cardiovascular consequences.
Socioeconomic and Sociodemographic Predictors of Cancer-Related Information Sources Used by Cancer Survivors

With 14 million cancer survivors in the United States, identifying and categorizing their use of sources of cancer-related information is vital for targeting effective communications to this growing population. In addition, recognizing socioeconomic and sociodemographic differences in the use of cancer-related information sources is a potential mechanism for reducing health disparities in survivorship. Fourteen sources of information survivors (N = 519) used for cancer-related information were factor-analyzed to create a taxonomy of source use. The association between social determinants and use of these source types was analyzed in regression models. Factor analysis revealed 5 categories of information source use (mass media; Internet and print; support organizations; family and friends; health care providers), and use varied based on sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Higher education predicted increased use of all source categories except mass media. African American cancer survivors turned to health care providers as a source for cancer-related information less often than did White survivors. Social determinants predicted differences in the type of cancer-related information sources used. Providers and health communicators should target communication platforms based on the demographic profile of specific survivor audiences.
Real-time 3D face modeling with a commodity depth camera

We propose a system that enables a person to quickly and easily generate a high-quality 3D model of their face using a low-cost depth camera such as the Kinect. The Kinect sensor provides depth images at video-rate, however, the depth images are often noisy and contain holes. Our system builds high-quality 3D face models by registering and integrating multiple depth images of a user's head. This method allows a user to generate a model of their face by simply moving their head in front of a fixed depth camera. Our method is built upon the KinectFusion system with modifications to enable segmented depth images to be robustly registered and integrated. Furthermore, we present a fast technique to segment a user's head from a depth image. Our system is able to run at a real-time rate on commodity hardware.
A novel sub-population of bone marrow-derived myocardial stem cells: potential autologous cell therapy in myocardial infarction.

Abstract Background Several studies have identified beta2-microglobulin-negative (β2M − ) cells as a potential stem cell fraction in the bone marrow of rats and humans. We studied the ability of bone marrow–derived β2M − cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes and reconstitute the myocardium in a model of myocardial infarction. Methods β2M − cells were purified from bone marrow of Lewis rats using a magnetic activated cell-sorting technique. β2M − cells, 2.5 × 10 6 cells in 100 μl of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), were transplanted 7 days after infarction into a transmural myocardial scar induced by cryoinjury in Lewis rats ( n = 9). Control Group 1( n = 10) received a 100-μl injection of PBS, and Control Group 2 ( n = 15) received no injection. The β2M − cells were labeled before transplantation, using the membrane fluorescent intercalated dye, PKH26. Repopulation was examined at 6 and 8 weeks after transplantation. Differentiation of β2M − cells into cardiac myocytes was determined by the colocalization of troponin and PKH26 to the same cell, utilizing immunohistochemistry, ultraviolet photomicroscopy and fluorescence microscopy on 6-μm serial sections. Area of engraftment within the scar was calculated by planimetry. Results The treatment group had multiple islands of de novo–formed myocardium within the fibrous matrix of the transmural scar (mean area 35 ± 4.2% of scar area at 6 and 8 weeks). These cells colocalized cardiac-specific troponin and PKH26. Using these techniques, no myocardial islands were seen in the control groups. Before transplantation, β2M − cells were troponin-negative. Conclusions This study demonstrates that β2M − cells represent a novel sub-population of bone marrow–derived stem cells capable of successful and substantial engraftment in areas of transmural myocardial scar, with de novo formation of cardiac myocytes. The functional significance of this observation is being studied.
Theoretical calculation of experimentally observable consequences of the geometric phase on chemical reaction cross sections

Abstract Any system composed of three similar or dissimilar atoms whose ground states are 2 S displays a conical intersection, as well as a corresponding geometric phase effect. We report for the first time the results of accurate quantum mechanical calculations including this effect. Integral and differential cross sections for the simple H + H 2 system over the energy range 0.7 to 1.2 eV are presented. For para→para and ortho→ortho transitions they are changed significantly, whereas for para→ortho and ortho→para transitions they are not. These results are verifiable experimentally.
Molecular characterization of polysaccharides dissolved in Me2NAc-LiCl by gel-permeation chromatography

Abstract Polysaccharides function in key roles in textiles, biomass, foodstuffs, and plant cell walls, in addition to pharmaceuticals and immunological interactions. Structural information is urgently needed, but the complexity of the polymers, their interactions, and poor solubility have been limiting aspects. The dilute solution behavior of polysaccharides representing typical classes of natural products was investigated via gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) using refractive index and viscometric detectors. The solvent of choice for high-molecular weight cellulose analysis, dimethylacetamide with lithium chloride (Me2NAc-LiCl), was used for direct polysaccharide dissolution without extraction or derivatization. The utility of this aprotic solvent for effective characterization of carbohydrates was explored. The polysaccharides studied spanned a range of molecular sizes, branching configurations, and linkage types, i.e., celluloses, amyloses, amylopectins, dextrans, pullulans, and curdlan. In addition to molecular weight values and distributions, calculated parameters defining each polysaccharides' dilute solution characteristics (intrinsic viscosity, radius of gyration, Mark-Houwink coefficients) were determined. Comparison between polysaccharides of similar molecular weight differing either in their branching patterns or linkage distribution were made. The calculated values were correlated with theoretical results predicted in the available literature and/or with known results. Relations among polymer linkage type, molecular chain compositions, branching assessments, and solution properties are described.
The evolution of sexually selected traits in male swordtail fishes ( Xiphophorus : Poeciliidae)

Sexual rather than natural selection can account for the evolution of exaggerated male ornaments that appear to be detrimental to survival. Such a sexually selected trait is the sword-like caudal fin extension in males of species that belong to the genus Xiphophorus. Swordtail fishes feature prominently in empirical work and theories of sexual selection. Recently, the pre-existing bias hypothesis was offered as an explanation for the evolution of swords in these fishes. Under this hypothesis, the female preference was postulated to predate the origin of the male's sword and to have driven its evolution directly. A reconstruction of the evolution of this trait, using a traditional, largely morphology-based phylogeny of this genus, and recent behavioural experiments suggest that female preference for mating with sworded males arose in ancestrally swordless species. The applicability of the pre-existing bias hypothesis is questioned, however, by a molecular phylogeny of Xiphophorus, which differs from the traditional one. It demonstrates that some features (e.g. possibly coloration and black ventral margin) of the character complex ‘sword’ are likely to have been present in the common ancestor of all species of Xiphophorus. The propensity to develop ventral caudal fin extensions is intra-specifically variable in several Xiphophorus species; this variation may be phylogenetically widespread and plesiomorphic for poeciliid fishes. It is shown that many male secondary sexual characters are evolutionarily labile. They are probably more easily lost and regained than are female preferences for them, which might be phylogenetically more resilient to change. Differences in the rates of evolution of female preference and male traits might be caused by stronger natural selection pressures on males than on females.
Conceptual Modeling For The Inspection And And Evaluation Of Structural Integrity

This paper presents a conceptual model of object-based knowledge representation for the inspection and evaluation of structural integrity. Use of the model is illustrated with a practical knowledge-based system(KBS) developed in the domain of bridge fatigue evaluation. An overview of the open-system architecture of the model is first introduced, followed by discussion of the object abstraction in the domain knowledge. Three major kinds of entities represented by objects are categorized in the model. They are : the physical objects for structural topology/interconnectivity as well as individual physical components, the equation objects for quantitative analysis, and abstract objects for qualitative assessment and reasoning. The knowledge representation scheme adapted by this KBS renders the notions of self-inferencing and self-indexing of knowledge in objects. Basic inferencing mechanisms of this model are also described in the paper. Finally, a critique of the hybrid representation is presented along with suggestions for its enhancement.