cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Binding of Drosophila Polo kinase to its regulator Matrimony is noncanonical and involves two separate functional domains.

Drosophila melanogaster Polo kinase physically interacts with, and is repressed by, the Matrimony (Mtrm) protein during oogenesis. Females heterozygous for a deletion of the mtrm gene display defects in chromosome segregation at meiosis I. However, a complete absence of Mtrm results in both meiotic catastrophe and female sterility. We show that three phosphorylated residues in an N-terminal region in Mtrm are required for Mtrm::Polo binding. However, this binding is noncanonical; it does not require either a complete S-pS/pT-P motif in Mtrm or key residues in the Polo-box domain of Polo that allow Polo to bind phosphorylated substrates. By using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy to characterize the Mtrm::Polo interaction in vivo, we show that a sterile α-motif (SAM) domain located at the C terminus of Mtrm increases the stability of Mtrm::Polo binding. Although Mtrm’s C-terminal SAM domain is not required to rescue the chromosome segregation defects observed in mtrm/+ females, it is essential to prevent both meiotic catastrophe and the female sterility observed in mtrm/mtrm females. We propose that Polo’s interaction with the cluster of phosphorylated residues alone is sufficient to rescue the meiosis I defect. However, the strengthening of Mtrm::Polo binding mediated by the SAM domain is necessary to prevent meiotic catastrophe and ensure female fertility. Characterization of the Mtrm::Polo interaction, as well as that of other Polo regulators, may assist in the design of a new class of Polo inhibitors to be used as targeted anticancer therapeutic agents.
The Concurrent Use of Lithium and Methylphenidate in a Child

Abstract. The case of a young boy with symptoms of both attention deficit and affective disorders is presented. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of lithium and methylphenidate. Issues about comorbidity and polypharmacy in children are raised, and the concommitant use of lithium and methylphenidate in a child is discussed.
Gender and Work in the 1980s: Television's Working Women as Displaced Persons

(1991). Gender and Work in the 1980s: Television's Working Women as Displaced Persons. Women's Studies in Communication: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 49-74.
Scanning electrochemical microscopy. 57. SECM tip voltammetry at different substrate potentials under quasi-steady-state and steady-state conditions

We discuss SECM tip voltammetry, where a UME tip is held above a conductive substrate within about a tip radius and a tip voltammogram is recorded as its potential is slowly scanned while the substrate is held at a fixed potential. When the potential of the substrate is changed, the series of steady-state tip voltammograms provide information about the reactants and products. When the potential of the substrate, ES, is set so that the reaction at the substrate is opposite to that at the tip (the usual SECM conditions), a total positive feedback (tpf) tip voltammogram is recorded. When the substrate potential is set to values where the reaction at the substrate is the same as that occurring on the tip, the tip is shielded from the species in the bulk solution. Depending upon the substrate potential, this can cause total shielding (ts) or a voltammogram that is the result of partial feedback/partial shielding (pf-ps). The result is a series of tip voltammograms that are characterized by tpf, pf-ps, or ts, d...
Neuropeptide Y stimulates β-endorphin release in the basal hypothalamus: role of gonadal steroids

Abstract Recent pharmacological and morphological studies have raised the likelihood of a regulatory link beteen the neuropeptide Y (NPY) and β-endorphin ( β-END) networks in the hypothalamus. To evaluate this link we have examined the effects of NPY administration on the in vivo release of β-END by push-pull perfusion of the basal hypothalamus. Results showed that centrally injected NPY stimulated the in vivo release of β-END. This effect was evident only in the absence of testicular steroids since NPY failed to alter β-END release in intact rats. These data suggest that the well-documented effects of NPY such as inhibition of pituitary gonadotropin release in gonadectomized rats and stimulation of feeding may be mediated, in part, by stimulation of β-END.
A Fast Energy Dump for Beam Line Magnets

Tests of the 200A and 500A versions show excellent agreement with calculations and have operated without incident for some time. A 5000A version of a slightly different configuration has functioned well for over six months. The introduction of the fast ramp down circuits has substantially increased the flexibility of the Neutrino beam line by permitting the effective use of the accelerator flat top.
Optimal Placement of Passive Dampers on Seismic and Wind-Excited Buildings using Combinatorial Optimization:

The performance of energy dissipative systems for the response reduction of complex civil engineering structures depends on their locations in the structure. In this paper, the optimal locations of energy dissipative systems have been investigated using combinatorial optimization based integer heuristic programming techniques. Three intelligent search algorithms, namely, sequential, Worst-Out-Best-In (WOBI) and Exhaustive Single Point Substitution (ESPS) search methods, have been used to determine optimal locations for different types of objective functions. The applications of the proposed approach for the determination of optimal locations have been demonstrated for three seismic-excited buildings and one wind-excited building. It is shown that the optimal locations obtained by minimizing the peak interstory drift of buildings depend on the specific design earthquake. The WOBI and ESPS methods have been found to be quite effective in improving the locations obtained by the sequential search method.
A revision of the genus Pirkimerus Distant (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae, Blissinae)*

Synopsis The characteristics, distribution and intra-generic relationships of the species of the genus Pirkimerus are analysed. A key to species is included. Ischnomorphus Hidaka, 1961, is synonymised. Seven new species are described, and five species are redescribed. Sexual dimorphism of the compound eyes is discussed and illustrated.
Hypermutability and homeologous recombination: Ingredients for rapid evolution

We examine basic tenets of evolution, i.e., the relative roles that mutation and recombination play in instituting the genetic diversity upon which selection works to establish bacteria in particular niches. Specifically, we delve into the importance of particular mutator phenotypes and their potential contributions to homeologous recombination in bacteria. The implications for rapid evolution and the emergence of new pathogens are discussed.
Response to Orvar Swenson's Hirschsprung's disease - A complicated therapeutic problem: Some thoughts and solutions based on data and personal experience over 56 years

T IS TRULY a privilege and honor and a humbling experience to comment on Dr Orvar Swenson’s article in this issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery. Dr Swenson certainly is the father of the modern treatment of Hirschsprung’s disease. The clarity of his thinking in this article at age 95 is truly remarkable. In the current report, Dr Swenson addresses 2 very important issues in the management of Hirschsprung’s disease, namely, postoperative enterocolitis and the most effective pullthrough for the definitive treatment of this disease. Dr Swenson recognized the problem of postoperative Hirschsprung’s-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) early in his experience. He realized that the majority of these cases could be treated conservatively but that a few required surgical management in the form of a decompressive colostomy or a posterior sphincterectomy/ sphincterotomy. In fact, Dr Swenson showed me how to do a posterior sphincterotomy in 1974 when he was the Visiting Professor at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. The importance of HAEC in patients with successful pull-throughs for Hirschsprung’s disease was lost over the next 3 decades and often was missed and diagnosed as viral or bacterial gastroenteritis. More recent series of pull-throughs for Hirschsprung’s disease have again noted the significant incidences of HAEC at around 20%, regardless of the type of pull-through performed. In addition, it appears that the longer the segment of aganglionosis, the higher the incidence of HAEC. Our own experience with HAEC confirms the above findings. 1-4 Recent data from our institution have suggested that MUC-2, the predominant mucin gene, is markedly reduced in patients with Hirschsprung’s disease and is absent in patients with HAEC. MUC-2 has been shown to be important in preventing bacterial translocation. Its absence is associated with decreased epithelial barrier function. 5 Thus, HAEC may not be an acquired condition after a successful pull-through for Hirschsprung’s disease, but, in fact, may be an intrinsic part of Hirschsprung’s disease itself. In the second part of his article, Dr Swenson de
Boundary element modeling for defect characterization potential in a wave guide

Wave scattering analysis implemented by boundary element methods (BEM) and the normal mode expansion technique is used to study the sizing potential of two-dimensional shaped defects in a wave guide. Surface breaking halfelliptical shaped defects of three opening lengths (0.3, 6.35 and 12.7 mm) and through-wall depths of 10–90% on a 10 mm thick steel plate were considered. The reflection and transmission coefficients of both Lamb and shear horizontal (SH) waves over a frequency range 0.05–2 MHz were studied. A powerfully practical result was obtained whereby the numerical results for the S0 mode Lamb wave and n0 mode SH wave at low frequencies showed a monotonic increase in signal amplitude with an increase in the defect through-wall depth. At high frequency (usually above the cut-off frequency of the A1 mode for Lamb waves and the n1 mode for SH waves, respectively), the monotonic trend does not hold in general due to the energy redistribution to the higher order wave modes. Guided waves impinging onto an internal stringer-like an inclusion were also studied. Both the Lamb and SH waves were shown to be insensitive to the stringer internal inclusions at low frequency. Experiments with piezoelectric Lamb wave transducers and non-contact SH wave electro-magnetic acoustic transducers (EMAT) verified some of the theoretical results. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Instrumental Considerations In Infrared Biospectroscopy

The 1959 cm-1 KBr impurity absorption in beamsplitters provides a convenient measurement of instability that may be used in conjunction with interferogram fluctuations to assess the total instrumental instability. Analysis of interferogram fluctuations led to environmental controls which reduced the KBr impurity band contribution in a ratioed spectrum to less than 0.9%, and facilitated measurement of sub-milliabsorbance infrared bands.
Effects of postsettlement human activities on forest composition in the north‐eastern United States: a comparative approach

Aim This study compares human impacts and forest ecosystem response across geographical regions. Such a comparison allows us to evaluate the relationship between regional changes in forest composition and regional patterns of human activity. Location Four study areas in the north-eastern USA were investigated, two of which were dominated by oak-pine forests at the time of European settlement (Central Massachusetts, MA; Pike County, PA), and two of which were dominated by beech and hemlock (South Berkshire, MA; Wayne County, PA). Methods Trees recorded in early land survey records were compiled and compared with data on modern forest composition obtained from recent forest inventories. To assess the similarity of the four regions with regard to species composition, Euclidean Distances (ED) were calculated between the colonial and modern forest composition for each of the four regions. Information about the history of human impacts in the four study regions was used to interpret the changes in forest composition. Results General changes in forest composition through the historical period include a decline in beech, hemlock and chestnut, and an increase in maple and birch. Changes in pine and oak were minor by comparison. Supraregional human impacts are generally linked with supraregional trends in species composition, whereas regional patterns of land use caused regional patterns of change in species composition. Main conclusions These results suggest that human activities do not necessarily lead to more similar species composition between regions, especially if these activities show clear spatial patterns at about the same resolution that species composition is evaluated. Comparing species-specific changes in forest composition with species-specific human activities on the same spatial scale is crucial in order to evaluate human impacts on ecosystems and to make more robust generalizations about the temporal dynamics of landscapes.
Structure of young East Pacific Rise lithosphere from ambient noise correlation analysis of fundamental- and higher-mode Scholte-Rayleigh waves

Abstract Inter-station Green's functions estimated from ambient noise studies have been widely used to investigate crustal structure. However, most studies are restricted to continental areas and use fundamental-mode surface waves only. In this study, we recover inter-station surface (Scholte-Rayleigh) wave empirical Green's function (EGFs) of both the fundamental- and the first-higher mode using one year of continuous seismic noise records on the vertical component from 28 ocean bottom seismographs deployed in the Quebrada/Discovery/Gofar transform faults region on the East Pacific Rise. The average phase-velocity dispersion of the fundamental mode (period band 2–30 s) and the first-higher mode (period band 3–7 s) from all EGFs are used to invert for the 1-D average, shear-velocity structure in the crust and uppermost mantle using a model-space search algorithm. The preferred shear-velocity models reveal low velocities (4.29 km/s) between Moho and 25 km depth below sea-surface, suggesting the absence of a fast uppermost mantle lid in this young (0–2 Myr) oceanic region. An even more pronounced low-velocity zone, with shear velocities ∼3.85 km/s, appears at a depth between 25–40 km below sea-surface. Along with previous results, our study indicates that the shear velocity in the uppermost oceanic mantle increases with increasing seafloor age, consistent with age-related lithospheric cooling.
On integral representation of the continuous O(n)-positive definite functions

The aim of this paper is to study integral representation for continuous O(n)-positive definite functions. Using the Krein method of directing functionals we prove the theorem about integral representation, give the criteria of uniqueness of this representation and description of all representations in the case of ununiqueness. On the basis of these results we solve analogous problems for continuous radial positive definite functions.
The X-ray structure of Escherichia coli RraA (MenG), A protein inhibitor of RNA processing.

The Escherichia coli protein regulator of RNase E activity A (RraA) has recently been shown to act as a trans-acting modulator of RNA turnover in bacteria; it binds to the essential endonuclease RNase E and inhibits RNA processing in vivo and in vitro. Here, we report the 2.0 A X-ray structure of RraA. The structure reveals a ring-like trimer with a central cavity of approximately 12 A in diameter. Based on earlier sequence analysis, RraA had been identified as a putative S-adenosylmethionine:2-demethylmenaquinone and was annotated as MenG. However, an analysis of the RraA structure shows that the protein lacks the structural motifs usually required for methylases. Comparison of the observed fold with that of other proteins (and domains) suggests that the RraA fold is an ancient platform that has been adapted for a wide range of functions. An analysis of the amino acid sequence shows that the E. coli RraA exhibits an ancient relationship to a family of aldolases.
Use of Coniothyrium minitans and other microorganisms for reducing Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Abstract Biological control agents (BCAs) Bacillus subtilis QST 713, Coniothyrium minitans CON/M/91-08, Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108, and Trichoderma harzianum T-22 were evaluated for their efficacy in the reduction of survival of sclerotia and production of apothecia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum under controlled environments. A growth chamber assay was conducted where 25 sclerotia were buried in pots containing potting soil, and BCAs were drenched into the soil at various concentrations, and five soybean seeds were planted in each pot. The presence and number of S. sclerotiorum apothecia were recorded daily. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia were retrieved six weeks after seeding and viability was assessed on water agar plates. All BCAs were effective in reducing S. sclerotiorum inoculum at various efficacies. In general, efficacy was positively correlated with the rate of application. At the rate of application when the efficacy did not change significantly by increasing the rate, the BCAs had various reductions of apothecia and sclerotia. B. subtilis reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 91.2 and 29.6%, respectively; C. minitans reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 81.2 and 50%, respectively; Streptomyces lydicus reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 100 and 29.6%, respectively; Trichoderma harzianum reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 80.5 and 31.7%, respectively. In addition, the commercial strain of C. minitans CON/M/91-08, and a wild Michigan strain of C. minitans W09 were compared for their growth and sclerotial reduction. W09 had faster growth rate than the commercial strain, indicating potential diversities of biological control strains to be studied.
Patients’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Guided Imagery and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Interventions Used for Cancer Pain

Relaxation and guided imagery are useful strategies for cancer pain; however, their effects vary from patient to patient. Patients' perceptions of these treatments and factors that contribute to their effectiveness have not previously been described. Data from interviews conducted after a trial of guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) interventions were analyzed to compare patients' perceptions of treatment effects with observed changes in pain scores, and to explore patients' ideas about factors that contributed to the effectiveness of each intervention. Post-study interviews were conducted with 26 hospitalized patients with cancer pain who had completed trials of guided imagery and PMR. In most cases, participants' perceptions of treatment effects matched observed changes in pain scores. Participants described treatment and patient characteristics that influenced effectiveness of the interventions such as active involvement in the intervention, guided instructions, providing a source of distraction, stimulating relaxation, individual abilities and preferences, and pain qualities.
The Stability of the TFIIA-TBP-DNA Complex Is Dependent on the Sequence of the TATAAA Element

To determine the mechanistic differences between canonical and noncanonical TATA elements, we compared the functional activity of two sequences: TATAAA (canonical) and CATAAA (noncanonical). The TATAAA element can support high levels of transcription in vivo, whereas the CATAAA element is severely defective for this function. This dramatic functional difference is not likely to be due to a difference in TBP (TATA-binding protein) binding efficiency because protein-DNA complex studies in vitro indicate little difference between the two DNA sequences in the formation and stability of the TBP-DNA complex. In addition, the binding and stability of the TFIIB-TBP-DNA complex is similar for the two elements. In striking contrast, the TFIIA-TBP-DNA complex is significantly less stable on the CATAAA element when compared with the TATAAA element. A role for TFIIA in distinguishing between TATAAA and CATAAA in vivo was tested by fusing a subunit of TFIIA to TBP. We found that fusion of TFIIA to TBP dramatically increases transcription from CATAAA in yeast cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the stability of the TFIIA-TBP complex depends strongly on the sequence of the core promoter element and that the TFIIA-TBP complex plays an important function in recognizing optimal promoters in vivo.
Effect of processing and measuring procedures on estimated sizes of bull sperm heads

Abstract Reported estimates of sperm head size within a species vary considerably, partly due to procedural effects. A simple India ink method was developed that provided good contrast without inducing artifacts. Semen from five fertile bulls was smeared on replicate slides and left unfixed or fixed in Carnoys solution, with ink added for background. Other slides were fixed, and sperm were stained by the Feulgen procedure. Sperm head area was measured four ways. These were linear measurements made with the aid of an ocular micrometer and an oil immersion objective, plus three methods of measuring sperm heads projected at magnification 5000×. The areas of unfixed and fixed sperm heads did not differ (41.5μm 2 versus 41.6μm 2 , respectively, P >0.05). The Feulgen-stained head area was smaller (26.2μm 2 , P P P
Experimental comparison of routing and middleware solutions for mobile ad hoc networks: legacy vs cross-layer approach

In this paper we present an experimental evaluation of a full ad hoc network architecture with particular attention to routing and middleware layers. In particular we set up a MANET prototype on which we performed a large set of experiments: in a first phase, we analyzed performances of a proactive and a reactive routing protocols in case of low mobility scenarios in small-medium scale ad hoc networks; then we studied the performances of a first prototype of an optimized p2p system for ad hoc networks (CrossROAD), based on a cross-layer interaction with a proactive routing protocol. Our analysis shows that the use of a proactive routing protocol does not negatively influence system performances, furthermore it allows the optimization of a structured p2p system on ad hoc networks, providing a complete and timely updated knowledge of the network topology. In this way, the overlay network is completely self-organizing and correctly manages network partitioning and topology changes.
Biological Activity of Relaxin in Porcine Milk

A lactocrine mechanism for delivery of maternally derived relaxin (RLX) into the neonatal circulation as a consequence of nursing has been proposed for the pig. Consistently, immunoreactive porcine RLX was detected in colostrum as well as in the serum of nursing pigs. Concentrations of porcine RLX in milk are highest during early lactation (9-19 ng/mL) and decline to less than 2 ng/mL by postnatal day 14. However, RLX bioactivity has not been described in porcine milk. Therefore, this study was designed to establish an assay for RLX bioactivity in porcine milk and to determine if milk RLX bioactivity was related to RLX concentrations in milk collected at parturition (lactation day 0) and on lactation day 14. To assess milk RLX bioactivity, an in vitro bioassay using human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells transfected with the human RLX receptor (LGR7) was developed. Milk RLX bioactivity was confirmed by documentation of a systematic increase in cAMP production by HEK293T-LGR7 cells in response to increasing volumes of day 0 milk. Addition of lactation day 14 milk, porcine insulin, or human insulin-like growth factor 1 to HEK293T-LGR7 cells, or porcine RLX treatment of nontransfected HEK293T cells, failed to elicit a cAMP response. Western blot analysis of milk proteins revealed an 18-kDa protein band, indicating that pro RLX is the primary form of bioactive RLX in porcine milk. Data support the lactocrine hypothesis and suggest a role for milk-borne pro RLX in porcine neonatal development.
Electrical stimulation of the arcuate nucleus in ovariectomized rats inhibits episodic luteinizing hormone (LH) release but excites LH release after estrogen priming.

The effect of electrical stimulation of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) on the; blood levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) was studied in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Unanesthetized, unrestrained rats were bled continuously (30 or 50 μl whole blood/4–6 min) through indwelling right atrial cannulae for l½–2 h prior to the onset of stimulation. The bleeding was continued for the following three hours, during which electrical stimulation was applied for two 60 min periods separated by a 60 min non-stimulation period. Whole blood was analyzed for LH by radioimmunoassay. Electrical stimulation of the ARH in ovx rats inhibited the episodic LH release characteristic of these animals. The inhibition was rapid in onset, beginning within minutes, and lasted for most if not all of the stimulation period or longer. The blood LH levels returned to control values prior to the second stimulation period during which the inhibitory response was again seen. Stimulation in other hypothalamic areas outside the ARH ...
Characterization of Bacteriophages and Bacteria Indigenous to a Mixed-Strain Cheese Starter

Abstract To understand the types of phages and bacteria that coexist in a phage-carrying starter, we characterized isolates from milk fermented by a commercial mixed-strain culture. The bacterial population was 62% Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris , 19% Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis , 2% Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis , 16% Leuconostoc cremoris , and 1% unknown species. Plasmid analyses indicated 24 groups of L. lactis ssp. cremoris strains, 4 groups of L. lactis ssp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis , 1 group of L. lactis ssp. lactis , and 1 group of Leuc. cremoris . Fermentation times and sensitivity to outside phages varied between strains. Seven phages were isolated from the starter. Six attacked L. lactis ssp. cremoris strains, and one attacked L. lactis ssp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis . Three L. lactis ssp. cremoris phages crossreacted on starter hosts, and their DNA patterns were similar after restriction endonuclease digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis. Electron microscopy and DNA/DNA hybridization revealed two distinct small isometric phage types. One type attacked L. lactis ssp. cremoris and had a collar, whiskers, hexagonal tail-base structure, and 151-nm long tail. The other type attacked L. lactis ssp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis , had a tail fiber and a 215-nm long tail. Bacteria within and between plasmid groups demonstrated various degrees of resistance to these phages. Although lytic phages and sensitive hosts were both present, the mixed-strain culture functioned as a fast acid-producing starter.
Re‐signing Mass Culture: Billy Bragg's “There is Power in a Union”

(1991). Re‐signing Mass Culture: Billy Bragg's “There is Power in a Union”. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 33-48.
Flicker adaptation of low-level cortical visual neurons contributes to temporal dilation.

Several seconds of adaptation to a flickered stimulus causes a subsequent brief static stimulus to appear longer in duration. Non-sensory factors such as increased arousal and attention have been thought to mediate this flicker-based temporal-dilation aftereffect. Here we provide evidence that adaptation of low-level cortical visual neurons contributes to this aftereffect. The aftereffect was significantly reduced by a 45° change in Gabor orientation between adaptation and test. Because orientation-tuning bandwidths are smaller in lower-level cortical visual areas and are approximately 45° in human V1, the result suggests that flicker adaptation of orientation-tuned V1 neurons contributes to the temporal-dilation aftereffect. The aftereffect was abolished when the adaptor and test stimuli were presented to different eyes. Because eye preferences are strong in V1 but diminish in higher-level visual areas, the eye specificity of the aftereffect corroborates the involvement of low-level cortical visual neurons. Our results thus suggest that flicker adaptation of low-level cortical visual neurons contributes to expanding visual duration. Furthermore, this temporal-dilation aftereffect dissociates from the previously reported temporal-constriction aftereffect on the basis of the differences in their orientation and flicker-frequency selectivity, suggesting that the visual system possesses at least two distinct and potentially complementary mechanisms for adaptively coding perceived duration.
Venom apparatus of braconid wasps: comparative ultrastructure of reservoirs and gland filaments

Two types of venom apparatus present in female braconid wasp were examined in nine species and compared ultrastructurally. The reservoir of type 1 venom apparatus has a relatively thick muscular sheath which is innervated, while the longitudinal and circular muscles of the type 2 reservoir consist of scattered fibers which are not innervated. The intima of the reservoir of type 1 venom apparatus is unevenly thickened. In contrast, the reservoir of type 2 venom apparatus has a relatively thinner and more uniform intima. The gland filaments of both types of venom apparatus are ultrastructurally similar. Distinct particles found in the venom apparatus of two of the nine species are described.
MMP25 (MT6-MMP) Is Highly Expressed in Human Colon Cancer, Promotes Tumor Growth, and Exhibits Unique Biochemical Properties

MMP25 (MT6-MMP) is one of the two glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that have been suggested to play a role in pericellular proteolysis. However, its role in cancer is unknown, and its biochemical properties are not well established. Here we found a marked increase in MT6-MMP expression within in situ dysplasia and invasive cancer in 61 samples of human colon cancer. Expression of MT6-MMP in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells promoted tumori-genesis in nude mice. Histologically, the MT6-MMP-expressing tumors demonstrated an infiltrative leading edge in contrast to a rounded leading edge in vector control tumors. Biochemical and biosynthesis analyses revealed that MT6-MMP displayed on the cell surface exists as a major form of 120 kDa that likely represents enzyme homodimers linked by disulfide bonds. Upon reduction, a single 57-kDa active MT6-MMP was detected. Interestingly, neither membrane-anchored nor phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-released MT6-MMPs were found to be associated with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and did not activate pro-gelatinases (pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9) even in the presence of exogenous TIMP-2 or TIMP-1. A catalytic domain of MT6-MMP was inhibited preferentially by TIMP-1 (K(i) = 0.2 nm) over TIMP-2 (K(i) = 2.0 nm), because of a slower association rate. These results show that MT6-MMP may play a role in colon cancer and exhibit unique biochemical and structural properties that may regulate proteolytic function at the cell surface.
Anterograde amnesia following electroconvulsive therapy: no evidence for state-dependent learning.

Tests of recognition memory were administered to psychiatric patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Learning sessions occurred 40 min to 3.5 hr after treatment; and retention was assessed 45 to 50 hr later, before or at different times after the next ECT in the series. Marked anterograde amnesia was exhibited at all ECT-learning intervals, and test scores did not improve when the ECT-retention interval was equal to the ECT-learning interval. Accordingly, anterograde amnesia during the hours following ECT does not appear to be a state-dependent phenomenon. The results support the hypothesis that anterograde amnesia reflects a deficit in the memory storage process rather than a deficit in the ability to use information that has been adequately stored.
The role of fatty acid binding proteins in metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis.

Purpose of review The global prevalence of obesity is increasing epidemically. Obesity causes an array of health problems, reduces life expectancy, and costs over US$100 billion annually. More than a quarter of the population suffers from an aggregation of co-morbidities, including obesity, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, coagulopathies, hypertension, and a pro-inflammatory state known as the metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome have high risk of atherosclerosis as well as type 2 diabetes and other health problems. Like obesity, atherosclerosis has very limited therapeutic options.
Catalytic activities of the human T-cell leukemia virus type II integrase.

Abstract Despite the widespread nature of HTLV-II in New World populations and intravenous drug users, the enzymatic activities of thepolgenes have not been reported. To ascertain the activity of the HTLV-IIG12integrase (IN), the coding region was isolated and the encoded protein was purified, using nickel-affinity chromatography, to greater than 90% homogeneity. HTLV-IIG12IN proved active on HTLV-IIG12and HIV-1 integration and disintegration substrates. Distinct differences in requirements for enzyme concentration for 3′-processing, strand-transfer, and disintegration reactions were observed. Catalysis of integration reactions occurred in the presence of either Mn2+or Mg2+, although strand-transfer activity preferred Mn2+. In comparison, HTLV-IIG12IN catalyzed disintegration reactions with almost 10-fold less protein, was not selective for Mn2+or Mg2+, and tolerated higher NaCl concentrations than integration. HTLV-IIG12IN was unable to catalyze the “splicing” reaction, which suggests that this may not be an activity ubiquitous to all retroviral integrases.
FOCUSS-based dictionary learning algorithms

Algorithms for data-driven learning of domain-specific over complete dictionaries are developed to obtain maximum likelihood and maximum a posteriori dictionary estimates based on the use of Bayesian models with concave/Schur- concave negative log-priors. Such priors are appropriate for obtaining sparse representations of environmental signals within an appropriately chosen dictionary. The elements of the dictionary can be interpreted as 'concepts,' features or 'words' capable of succinct expression of events encountered in the environment. This is a generalization of vector quantization in that one is interested in a description involving a few dictionary entries, but not necessarily as succinct as one entry. To learn an environmentally-adapted dictionary capable of concise expression of signals generated by the environment, we develop algorithms that iterate between a representative set of sparse representations found by variants of FOCUSS, an affine scaling transformation (ACT)-like sparse signal representation algorithm recently developed at UCSD, and an update of the dictionary using these sparse representations.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of Ensure® nutrition shakes as an alternative formulation method for live recombinant Attenuated Salmonella Typhi vaccines

To be effective, orally administered live Salmonella vaccines must first survive their encounter with the low pH environment of the stomach. To enhance survival, an antacid is often given to neutralize the acidic environment of the stomach just prior to or concomitant with administration of the vaccine. One drawback of this approach, from the perspective of the clinical trial volunteer, is that the taste of a bicarbonate-based acid neutralization system can be unpleasant. Thus, we explored an alternative method that would be at least as effective as bicarbonate and with a potentially more acceptable taste. Because ingestion of protein can rapidly buffer stomach pH, we examined the possibility that the protein-rich Ensure® Nutrition shakes would be effective alternatives to bicarbonate. We tested one Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and three Salmonella Typhi vaccine strains and found that all strains survived equally well when incubated in either Ensure® or bicarbonate. In a low gastric pH mouse model, Ensure® worked as well or better than bicarbonate to enhance survival through the intestinal tract, although neither agent enhanced the survival of the S. Typhi test strain possessing a rpoS mutation. Our data show that a protein-rich drink such as Ensure® Nutrition shakes can serve as an alternative to bicarbonate for reducing gastric pH prior to administration of a live Salmonella vaccine.
Writing memorable geophysical papers: The need for proper author coalitions

A primary function of Eos is to serve the geophysical community. It does this by publishing meeting announcements, book reviews, advertisements for jobs, scientific news items, and the like. Recent articles have helped the membership assess the stage of their careers (Eos, 60, 1024, 1979), informed them of the advantages of having names near the beginning of the alphabet (Eos, 59, 118, 1978), and helped them maximize information transfer during scientific meetings (Eos, 62, 179, 1981). However, no one has dealt with the very difficult problem of making papers memorable. Some techniques, such as long author lists, are now passe. Everyone is doing it. Other techniques, such as writing a very short paper or a humorous paper, are beyond the ken of most AGU members. Fortunately, there remains one technique that can be used by a surprisingly large number of AGU members.
Ge n-MOSFETs on lightly doped substrates with high-/spl kappa/ dielectric and TaN gate

In this letter, we report successful fabrication of germanium n-MOSFETs on lightly doped Ge substrates with a thin HfO/sub 2/ dielectric (equivalent oxide thickness /spl sim/10.8 /spl Aring/) and TaN gate electrode. The highest peak mobility (330 cm/sup 2//V/spl middot/s) and saturated drive current (130 /spl mu/A/sq at V/sub g/--V/sub t/=1.5 V) have been demonstrated for n-channel bulk Ge MOSFETs with an ultrathin dielectric. As compared to Si control devices, 2.5/spl times/ enhancement of peak mobility has been achieved. The poor performance of Ge n-MOSFET devices reported recently and its mechanism have been investigated. Impurity induced structural defects are believed to be responsible for the severe degradation.
When to start antiretroviral therapy: as soon as possible

Background The debate regarding ‘When to Start’ antiretroviral therapy has raged since the introduction of zidovudine in 1987. Based on the entry criteria for the original Burroughs Wellcome 002 study, the field has been anchored to CD4 cell counts as the prime metric to indicate treatment initiation for asymptomatic individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The pendulum has swung back and forth based mostly on the relative efficacy, toxicity and convenience of available regimens.
Estimation of shelf life of natural rubber latex exam-gloves based on creep behavior†‡

Samples of full-length glove-fingers cut from chlorinated and nonchlorinated latex medical examination gloves were aged for various times at several fixed temperatures and 25% relative humidity. Creep testing was performed using an applied stress of 50 kPa on rectangular specimens (10 mm × 8 mm) of aged and unaged glove fingers as an assessment of glove loosening during usage. Variations in creep curves obtained were compared to determine the threshold aging time when the amount of creep became larger than the initial value. These times were then used in various models to estimate shelf lives at lower temperatures. Several different methods of extrapolation were used for shelf-life estimation and comparison. Neither Q-factor nor Arrhenius activation energies, as calculated from 10°C interval shift factors, were constant over the temperature range; in fact, both decreased at lower temperatures. Values of Q-factor and activation energies predicted up to 5 years of shelf life. Predictions are more sensitive to values of activation energy as the storage temperature departs from the experimental aging data. Averaging techniques for prediction of average activation energy predicted the longest shelf life as the curvature is reduced. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Epitaxial Growth of α-Fe2O3 Thin Films on c-Plane Sapphire Substrate by Hydrothermal Method

Thin films of hematite find extensive applications in photoelectrochemistry, photocatalysis, and gas sensors. c-axis oriented hematite films have been directly grown on c-plane sapphire substrate using chemical method via hydrolysis of ferric cations. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that the crystalline phases of the films and corresponding sediment produced in the solution were α-Fe2O3 and pure β-FeOOH, demonstrating the promotion of nucleation of hematite on sapphire substrate as a result of lowered interface energy. Phi-scan results indicate that the hematite films are grown with (0001) planes parallel to c-plane of Al2O3. Scanning electron microscopic observation shows that the hematite films are composed of pyramid-shaped nanocrystals with smooth surface facets.
Alcohol use, smoking, and feeling unsafe: health risk behaviors of two urban seventh grade classes

Health risk behaviors undertaken in adolescence, such as drinking alcohol and smoking, can have a lasting consequence on both short-term and long-term health. To better describe the health risk beh...
Enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose in ionic liquids: a green approach toward the production of biofuels.

We investigated the reactivity and stability of a commercial mixture of cellulases in eight ionic liquids by optical and calorimetric techniques. First, hydrolysis by cellulases from Tricoderma reesei in these ionic liquids was benchmarked against that in aqueous buffer. Only 1-methylimidazolium chloride (mim Cl) and tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium methylsulfate (HEMA) provided a medium in which hydrolysis could occur. While hydrolysis at 65 °C is initially much faster in buffer than in these two liquids, it reaches a plateau after 2 h, whereas the reaction progresses monotonically in the two ionic liquids. This difference in the rate of hydrolysis is largely attributed to two factors: (1) the higher viscosity of the ionic liquids and (2) the enzymes are irreversibly denatured at 50 °C in buffer while they are stable to temperatures as high as 115 °C in HEMA. We explored whether fluorescence quenching of aromatic amino acids of the enzymes was indeed a signature of protein denaturation, as has been su...
An Experimental Analysis of Unanimity in Public Goods Provision Mechanisms

The paper reports on an experimental investigation of four methods of allocating public goods. The two basic processes studied are direct contribution and a public goods auction process. Both of these processes are studied with and without an additional unanimity feature. The results suggest that the auction process outperforms direct contribution. The effect of unanimity is to decrease the efficiency of both processes. Much of the paper is focused on an analysis of these results.
One misdated sequence of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus prevents accurate estimation of its nucleotide substitution rate

The literature is ripe with phylogenetic estimates of nucleotide substitution rates, especially of measurably evolving species such as RNA viruses. However, it is not known how robust these rate estimates are to inaccuracies in the data, particularly in sampling dates that are used for molecular clock calibration. Here we report on the rate of evolution of the emerging pathogen Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), which has significantly different rates of evolution for the same outer capsid (VP60) gene published in the literature. In an attempt to reconcile the conflicting data and further elucidate details of RHDV ’s evolutionary history, we undertook fresh Bayesian analyses and employed jackknife control methods to produce robust substitution rate and time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) estimates for RHDV based on the VP60 and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes. Through these control methods, we were able to identify a single misdated taxon, a passaged lab strain used for vaccine production, which was responsible for depressing the RHDV capsid gene’s rate of evolution by 65%. Without this isolate, the polymerase and the capsid protein genes had nearly identical rates of evolution: 1.90x10-3 nucleotide substitutions/site/year, ns/s/y, (95% highest probability density (HPD) 1.25x10-3-2.55x10-3) and 1.91x10-3 ns/s/y (95% HPD 1.50x10-3-2.34x10-3), respectively. After excluding the misdated taxon, both genes support a significantly higher substitution rate as well as a relatively recent emergence of RHDV, and obviate the need for previously hypothesized decades of unobserved diversification of the virus. The control methods show that using even one misdated taxon in a large dataset can significantly skew estimates of evolutionary parameters and suggest that it is better practice to use smaller datasets composed of taxa with unequivocal isolation dates. These jackknife controls would be useful for future tip-calibrated rate analyses that include taxa with ambiguous dates of isolation.
Probability in the Everett interpretation

The Everett (many-worlds) interpretation of quantum mechanics faces a prima facie problem concerning quantum probabilities. Research in this area has been fast-paced over the last few years, following a controversial suggestion by David Deutsch that decision theory can solve the problem. This article provides a non-technical introduction to the decision-theoretic program, and a sketch of the current state of the debate.
Suppression of natural cytotoxic cell and macrophage phagocytic function in oyster toadfish exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

Abstract Studies were undertaken to determine the effects of the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) on the function of oyster toadfish peritoneal non-specific cytotoxic cells (NCC) and macrophages. The functioning of these two cell populations was assessed in terms of their ability to lyse cultured tumour target cells and to phagocytose yeast cells, respectively. Following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 0, 1, 10, 50 and 100 mg DMBA/kg body weight, macrophage activity was suppressed in essentially a linear fashion, whereas NCC activity was virtually obliterated at all doses of DMBA administered. Thus, non-specific cytotoxicity in oyster toadfish has been shown to be substantially more sensitive to DMBA than non-specific phagocytosis.
Mechanical behavior of cast and forged magnesium alloys and their microstructures

Abstract Effects of manufacturing processes on microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys AM60 and AZ31B were investigated. The magnesium alloy AM60 was produced by high-pressure die cast (HPDC) with two different casting processors but AZ31B was produced by forging. Casting defects were investigated with SEM observations for the specimens obtained from the two casting processors. The fatigue tests were conducted by load control according to ASTM E466 standard procedure with zero to max loading. The failed surfaces of the specimens were also observed by using SEM. The microstructural analyses were conducted for the specimens obtained from the casting and forging processors. Micro-hardness values in the cross-section of a forged specimen were relatively consistent compared to those of cast specimens. From this study, it was clearly observed that the production methods affect to the microstructures and mechanical behavior of the magnesium alloys.