cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three SIBLINGs (small integrin-binding ligand, N-linked glycoproteins) enhance factor H's cofactor activity enabling MCP-like cellular evasion of complement-mediated attack.

Abstract Previously we have shown that two members of the newly named SIBLING (smallintegrin-binding ligand, N -linked glycoproteins) family of proteins, bone sialoprotein, and osteopontin, bound first to a cell surface receptor and then to complement Factor H thereby blocking the lytic activity of the alternative pathway of complement. Another member of this family, dentin matrix protein 1, is shown in this paper to be very similar to osteopontin in that it can bind strongly to Factor H (K a ∼ 1 nm) and block the lytic activity through either the vitronectin receptor (αVβ3 integrin) or CD44. Binding of Factor H to SIBLING localized to the cells surface was demonstrated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Extensive overlapping fragment analyses suggests that both dentin matrix protein 1 and osteopontin interact with cell surface CD44 through their amino termini. Similar fragments of bone sialoprotein, like the intact protein, did not functionally interact with CD44. All three proteins are shown to act in conjunction with Factor I, a serum protease that, when complexed to appropriate cofactors, stops the lytic pathway by digesting the bound C3b in a series of proteolytic steps. These results show that at least three members of this family confer membrane cofactor protein-like activity (MCP or CD46) upon cells expressing RGD-binding integrins or CD44. The required order of the assembly of the complex suggests that this cofactor activity is limited to short diffusional distances.
Bile Acids in Blood and Lymph in Experimental Obstructive Jaundice

Summary1. Studies of the bile acid in the blood of patients with obstructive jaundice indicate that if the blood bile acid increases after obstruction it rapidly returns to normal (4). We are unable to explain this discrepancy between the findings in patients with obstructive jaundice and in our experimental animals. 2. The rapid increase in thoracic duct lymph following common duct obstruction confirms the work of Mayo and Greene (5) indicating that the preferential route through which bile acid reaches the blood stream is through the lymphatics.
In situ measurements of net primary production in a Colorado mountain stream

Six stations were established on a Colorado mountain stream, and net primary productivity was measured in situ during all seasons. For 24-hour periods the dissolved oxygen and temperature of the water were electronically monitored over an undisturbed 1 x 1 m section of rubble bottom enclosed by a large plastic dome tightly fitted to the substrate. A submerged pump maintained a current within the dome, and the whole apparatus was submerged below the stream level. The bottom community net metabolism varied between heterotrophy and autotrophy with no correlations with altitude, season, light, water chemistry, and temperature. Readings were all very low and ranged from -27.38 to 35.59 grams of carbon fixed per square meter per year. There were no correlations between biomass of the bottom fauna and net community productivity.
Evidence Retention Policies in U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies: Implications for Unsolved Cases and Postconviction DNA Testing:

The use of forensic evidence in the criminal justice system has grown appreciably in the United States. Yet policies that dictate how state and local agencies maintain and store forensic evidence have not kept pace. This study examined the prevalence of evidence retention policies, as well as storage locations and tracking systems, in a nationally representative sample of state and local law enforcement agencies. Less than half of U.S. police departments have a policy for preserving biological evidence from convicted offenders. Among agencies having a policy, the responsibility for retaining evidence was most commonly placed with the investigating law enforcement agency. Implications of these findings and policy directions are discussed.
Nitrate Losses in Subsurface Drainage from a Corn–Soybean Rotation as Affected by Fall and Spring Application of Nitrogen and Nitrapyrin

Substantial amounts of NO3 from agricultural crop production systems on poorly drained soils can be transported to surface water via subsurface drainage. A field study was conducted from the fall of 1993 through 2000 on a tile-drained Canisteo clay loam soil (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, mesic Typic Endoaquoll) to determine the influence of fall vs. spring application of N and nitrapyrin [NP; 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine] on NO3 losses from a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation. Four anhydrous ammonia treatments (fall N, fall N + NP, spring preplant N, and spring N + NP) were replicated four times and applied at 135 kg N ha(-1) for corn on individual drainage plots. Drainage occurred in all seven years. Seventy-one percent of the annual drainage and 75% of the annual NO3 loss occurred in April, May, and June. Fifty-four percent of the NO3 lost in the drainage occurred during the corn phase and 46% during the soybean phase. Annual flow-weighted NO3-N concentrations for the fall, fall + NP, spring, and spring + NP treatments averaged 14.3, 11.5, 10.7, and 11.3 mg L(-1) during the corn phase but annual NO3-N concentrations were still > or =10 mg L(-1) in three of six years for the spring preplant treatment. Averaged across the six rotation cycles, flow-normalized NO3-N losses ranked in the order: fall N > spring N + NP > fall N + NP > spring N. Under these conditions, NO3 losses in subsurface drainage from a corn-soybean rotation can be reduced 14% by spring N and 10% by late fall N + NP compared with fall-applied N. Nitrate losses were not appreciably reduced by adding NP to spring preplant N.
Adiabatic charge and spin transport in interacting quantum wires

We study charge and spin transport through an interacting quantum wire, caused by backscattering of electrons off an effective impurity potential with a periodic time dependence. The adiabatic regime of this pump for charge and spin is shown to depend on the presence of interactions in the wire. For the noninteracting case, the transported quantities in a period are calculated and found to be adiabatic (independent of the pumping frequency) for all frequencies $\ensuremath{\Omega}\ensuremath{\ll}{v}_{F}/\mathcal{l},$ where $\mathcal{l}$ is the range of the scattering potential and ${v}_{F}$ is the Fermi velocity; this result is along the lines of adiabatic pumping in mesoscopic systems. On the other hand, we show that for a wire with repulsive electron-electron interactions, the adiabatic regime is confined to $\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\Omega}\ensuremath{\ll}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{\Gamma}},$ where ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ is an energy scale set by the backscattering potential. Using symmetry and scaling properties of the quantum wire Hamiltonian, we relate the charge Q and spin S transported through the wire in a period $2\ensuremath{\pi}/\ensuremath{\Omega}$ to an integral involving quasistatic backscattering conductances. We also show that the pumped charge Q (or the spin $S)$ is quantized in the adiabatic limit if the conductance of the system is zero at the stable fixed point of the renormalization-group (RG) transformations. The quanta transported are given by the winding number of a complex coupling $\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\ensuremath{\Omega}t)$ as it traverses a closed path $\mathcal{C}$ enclosing the origin $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=0.$ No adiabatic charge or spin is transported when the RG fixed point corresponds to a perfectly conducting wire, or if the path $\mathcal{C}$ does not enclose the point $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=0.$ By contrast, for a RG marginal conductance---which is the case for noninteracting electrons---the charge transported in a cycle is not quantized, rather it is proportional to the area enclosed by the path or circuit $\mathcal{C},$ in agreement with previous studies of noninteracting mesoscopic systems. Finite size, temperature, and frequency effects on the transported quantities follow from the relation between adiabatic transport coefficients (backscattering conductances) and the quasistatic conductance of the system.
CLARIFYING ERRONEOUS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

A review of several hundred court cases involving child sexual abuse allegations has shown that both children and adults make false reports. Various kinds of false reports are defined, described, and grouped according to type: misunderstandings, misreporting, distortion through illness, distortion by design, professional error, misrepresentation, and a grouping of less common instances.
The Use of Relaxin Improves Healing in Injured Muscle

To improve the functional recovery of injured skeletal muscle, we have focused our efforts on both enhancement of muscle regeneration and prevention of fibrosis. The polypeptide cytokine/growth factor relaxin can inhibit fibrous tissue formation in many tissues. As a member of the insulin-like growth factor family, relaxin also is a potential stimulator of muscle regeneration. In the current experiment, we examined the antifibrotic effect of relaxin in injured skeletal muscle. We also investigated if the injection of relaxin would influence muscle regeneration after injury. Our results demonstrate that relaxin treatment improved histologic and physiologic healing of muscles subjected to traumatic injury.
Singlet exciton trapping and heterofission in tetracene doped anthracene crystals

Abstract In tetracene doped anthracene, the magnetic field modulation of prompt tetracene fluorescence following excitation into the anthracene singlet manifold has been measured as a function of the magnetic field orientation and optical excitation energy. The results show that this modulation with low energy excitation is caused by singlet heterofission into one anthracene triplet exciton and one tetracene triplet. With higher excitation energies this modulation is due to both the singlet heterofission and also singlet homofission into a pair of anthracene triplet excitons. Heterofission occurs mainly from anthracene molecules next to a tetracene and competes with the singlet trapping. From the singlet trapping rate and from the magnetic modulation of tetracene prompt fluorescence the heterofission rate is estimated as ≈10 −11 s −1 .
A simple and generic approach for synthesizing colloidal metal and metal oxide nanocrystals.

A simple and generic approach—alternating voltage induced electrochemical synthesis (AVIES)—has been reported for synthesizing highly dispersed colloidal metal (Au, Pt, Sn, and Pt–Pd) and metal oxide (ZnO and TiO2) nanocrystals. The respective nanocrystals are produced when a zero-offset alternating voltage at 60 Hz is applied to a pair of identical metal wires, which are inserted in an electrolyte solution containing capping ligands. In the case of Au, the obtained nanocrystals are highly crystalline nano-icosahedra of 14 ± 2 nm in diameter, the smallest Au icosahedra synthesized in aqueous solutions via green chemistry. Their catalytic activity has been demonstrated through facilitating the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by sodium borohydride. This AVIES approach is an environmentally benign process and can be adopted by any research lab.
Instability of the Amyloidogenic Cystatin C Variant of Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis, Icelandic Type

A cystatin C variant with L68Q substitution and a truncation of 10 NH2-terminal residues is the major constituent of the amyloid deposited in the cerebral vasculature of patients with the Icelandic form of hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (HCHWA-I). Variant and wild type cystatin C production, processing, secretion, and clearance were studied in human cell lines stably overexpressing the cystatin C genes. Immunoblot and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated monomeric cystatin C in cell homogenates and culture media. While cystatin C formed concentration-dependent dimers, the HCHWA-I variant dimerized at lower concentrations than the wild type protein. Amino-terminal sequence analysis revealed that the variant and normal proteins produced and secreted are the full-length cystatin C. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated similar levels of normal and variant cystatin C production and secretion. However, the secreted variant cystatin C exhibited an increased susceptibility to a serine protease in conditioned media and in human cerebrospinal fluid, explaining its depletion from the cerebrospinal fluid of HCHWA-I patients. Thus, the amino acid substitution may induce unstable cystatin C with intact inhibitory activity and predisposition to self-aggregation and amyloid fibril formation.
The Influence of Patients' Quality of Life at the End of Life on Bereaved Caregivers' Suicidal Ideation

Abstract Context Recent studies have shown that patients' quality of life at the end of life (QOL@EOL) affects the psychosocial adjustment of bereaved family caregivers. Objectives To examine the relationship between patients' QOL@EOL and the suicidal ideation of their surviving bereaved caregivers. Methods Data were derived from the Coping with Cancer (CwC1) Study, a U.S. National Cancer Institute-funded multicenter prospective cohort investigation of patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers, in which patients were enrolled September 2002 to February 2008. CwC1 data were used to examine changes in suicidal ideation in family caregivers before and after the patient's death ( N = 127). Caregiver baseline suicidal ideation was assessed using the Yale Evaluation of Suicidality (YES) Scale a median of 4.1 months pre-loss; caregivers' perception of patients' QOL@EOL was assessed a median of 1.9 months postloss; and caregiver suicidal ideation in bereavement was assessed using the YES a median of 6.5 months postloss. Suicidal ideation was defined as a positive screen on the YES. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the effect of caregivers' perceptions of patients' QOL@EOL on the suicidal ideation of bereaved caregiver's, adjusting for the caregiver's baseline suicidal ideation and confounding influences. Results Caregivers' perception of patients' QOL@EOL was significantly inversely related to caregivers' suicidal ideation postloss (adjusted odds ratio = 0.79, P = 0.023), after we adjusted for caregivers' baseline suicidal ideation, relationship to patient, and years of education. Conclusion The more caregivers perceive their loved ones' QOL@EOL to be poor, the greater their risk for suicidal ideation in bereavement over and above prior levels of suicidal ideation. Caregivers of patients who have poor QOL@EOL appear to be a group of caregivers to target for reduction of suicidal risk.
The time course of creatine kinase elevation following concentric needle EMG

The electromyographic (EMG) exam and creatine kinase (CK) are commonly used to evaluate patients with neuromuscular diseases. Prior studies have demonstrated minimal elevation of CK following monopolar needle examination, indicating that a false positive elevation does not occur in normal individuals. We studied the magnitude and time course of CK change resulting from concentric (CNEMG) and monopolar (MNEMG) needle EMG examination on healthy volunteers. CK increased in all subjects following CNEMG and MNEMG. Statistically significant mean CK elevations over baseline were observed at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours for CNEMG and at 12 and 24 hours for MNEMG. Maximum elevation occurred at 12 and 24 hours for both CNEMG (mean, 178% of baseline) and MNEMG (mean, 134% of baseline). CK returned to baseline by 48 to 72 hours. In 25-30% of subjects CK elevation significantly exceeded the normal range. The magnitude of CK elevation is greater and the time course more prolonged than previously reported. CK measurements should be avoided 4 to 48 hours following CNEMG because of the potential for false positive results. Measurements immediately after and at 72 hours are not affected by the CNEMG or MNEMG. The time course for CK change following MNEMG is similar to CNEMG, but the magnitude is less.
Organ distribution and tumor uptake of annamycin, a new anthracycline derivative with high affinity for lipid membranes, entrapped in multilamellar vesicles

Annamycin (Ann) is a lipophilic, non-cross resistant anthracycline antibiotic that is easily amenable to formulation in a wide variety of liposomal carriers. We studied the organ distribution and tumor uptake of Ann entrapped in multilamellar vesicles (L-Ann), free annamycin (F-Ann), and doxorubicin (DOX) in C57BL/6 mice bearing advanced subcutaneous B16 melanoma tumors. L-Ann was composed of DMPC: DMPG: Ann at a molar ratio of 7:3:0.7. Mean particle size was 1.88±0.89 μm, and the entrapment efficiency was 93.08%±2.96%. F-Ann was prepared as a suspension (particle size ≤0.2 μm) in 10% DMSO. Drug levels were measured by fluorescence spectrometry after extraction with chloroform. The extraction ratio ranged between 60% and 90% for both drugs in most tissues. Compared with those of DOX, organ AUCs of L-Ann were threefold higher in plasma and brain, twofold higher in liver and kidney, six-fold higher in lung, ninefold higher in spleen, and tenfold higher in B16 tumors. Compared with F-Ann, organ AUCs of L-Ann were twofold higher in plasma, liver, and B16 tumors and were twofold lower in brain. Heart AUCs were similar with all three drugs. Higher tumor uptake was associated with a faster penetration and more prolonged retention of Ann in tumor tissue compared with those of DOX. The results obtained indicate significant differences in organ distribution between L-Ann and DOX as a result of the higher affinity of Ann for lipid membranes and the use of the liposomes as a delivery system. The potential clinical relevance of the increased uptake of L-Ann in B16 tumors, lung, and brain is being investigated.
The three-fold benefit of reflective writing: Improving program assessment, student learning, and faculty professional development

Abstract This article presents a model of reflective writing used to assess a U.S. general education first-year writing course. We argue that integrating reflection into existing assignments has three potential benefits: enhancing assessment of learning outcomes, fostering student learning, and engaging faculty in professional development. We describe how our research-based assessment process and findings yielded insights into students’ writing processes, promoted metacognition and transfer of learning, and revealed a variety of professional development needs. We conclude with a description of our three-fold model of reflection and suggest how others can adapt our approach.
Angular Distribution of Protons from Collisional Dissociation of H 2 + . II. Vibrational Dissociation

A classical-impulse binary-collision model is used to predict the laboratory angle and velocity distributions of protons resulting from the vibrational dissociation of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ by He. The treatment is partly heuristic and is not a quantitative success, since the computed cross sections turn out to be roughly an order of magnitude too large compared to those for electronic excitation of the $2p{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{u}$ state of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$. Nonetheless, the theory clearly identifies some major features of the experimental results of Gibson, Los, and Schopman as being due to vibrational dissociation.
The corfis subroutine for the generation of selected level percentage points of the pearson type VI distribution

(1980). The corfis subroutine for the generation of selected level percentage points of the pearson type VI distribution. Communications in Statistics - Simulation and Computation: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 429-452.
A comparison of the crystallographic structures of two catalytic antibodies with esterase activity

The crystallographic structure of the Fab fragment of the catalytic antibody, 29G11, complexed with an (S)-norleucine phenyl phosphonate transition state analog was determined at 2.2 A resolution. The antibody catalyzes the hydrolysis of norleucine phenyl ester with (S)-enantioselectivity. The shape and charge complementarity of the binding pocket for the hapten account for the preferential binding of the (S)-enantiomer of the substrate. The structure is compared to that of the more catalytically efficient antibody, 17E8, induced by the same hapten transition state analog. 29G11 has different residues from 17E8 at eight positions in the heavy chain, including four substitutions in the hapten-binding pocket: A33V, S95G, S99R and Y100AN, and four substitutions at positions remote from the catalytic site, I28T, R40K, V65G and F91L. The two antibodies show large differences in the orientations of their variable and constant domains, reflected by a 32 degrees difference in their elbow angles. The VL and VH domains in the two antibodies differ by a rotation of 8.8 degrees. The hapten binds in similar orientations and locations in 29G11 and 17E8, which appear to have catalytic groups in common, though the changes in the association of the variable domains affect the precise positioning of residues in the hapten-binding pocket.
Length scales in crystal plasticity

Significant effects of sample dimension on the yield strength of metallic crystals have been known for more than 50 years when researchers identified this phenomenon in metallic whiskers. These sample-size effects are once again attracting great interest with the discovery of the indentation size effect and the enhanced yield strength found for sub-micrometer diameter focused ion beam (FIB)-machined metallic pillars. Here, we discuss these issues and suggest mechanisms that may be responsible for the observed behaviors. In the case of FIB-machined pillars we draw an analogy between the yield strength of these structures and the fracture strength of glass rods and suggest that the experimentally observed yield behavior in these pillars is consistent with that expected from extreme value statistics. Additionally, we revisit the topic of surface effects in crystal plasticity and suggest a new mechanism via which a free surface could act as a measurable source of hardening for a crystal that has a bulk interior free of defects such as dislocations or grain boundaries. Finally we suggest experimental approaches that can be used to test the ideas discussed herein.
New Experimental Determination of Effective Cross-Sections for the Quenching of Mercury Resonance Radiation

Theory of the quenching of resonance radiation. The problem of the quenching of resonance radiation by foreign gases is treated on the basis of Milne's theory of diffusion of radiation extended to take account of (1) a collimated incident beam, (2) a finite emission line, (3) a finite absorption line, (4) impacts of the second kind, and a curve is obtained from which one can find the number of impacts of the second kind corresponding to any experimentally observed value of the quenching. The effect of metastable atoms is discussed and a theory of their behavior outlined.Measurement of the quenching of mercury resonance radiation. The scattered radiation emerging from an absorption cell containing mercury vapor in the presence of a foreign gas was measured as a function of the gas pressure with apparatus designed to agree closely with the requirements of the theory. From the theoretical curve the number of impacts of the second kind was obtained, and from this the effective cross-section for quenching was calculated for the following gases: ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, CO, N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$, C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{6}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{3}$${\mathrm{H}}_{8}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{4}$${\mathrm{H}}_{10}$, He and A. The values of the effective cross-section for quenching are tabulated along with those for depolarization of resonance radiation and for collision broadening. The quenching cross-sections of CO, N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$, C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{6}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_{4}$${\mathrm{H}}_{10}$ are shown to be connected with the difference between the energy of the transition $2^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}2^{3}P_{0}$ of Hg and the vibrational energy of the molecules, in qualitative agreement with the theory of Kallmann and London.
Fetal-shaped intracardiac masses

A 26-year-old woman with history of high-dose radiation therapy in Mexico for lymphoma presented with dyspnea, increasing abdominal girth, and peripheral edema. Trans-esophageal echocardiography re...
The immobility reaction in leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) as a function of noise-induced fear

Thirty-four frogs served as Ss, with half receiving a loud noise just prior to being immobilized, while the remainder served as a control group. Those exposed to preinduction noise remained immobile significantly longer than did the controls. The results were discussed as providing additional support for the idea that the immobility response represents an innate fear reaction.
Regulation of enzyme activity in a hibernator: Hepatic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from the arctic ground squirrel☆

Abstract 1. 1. Kinetic parameters of hepatic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) from the Arctic ground squirrel were examined over the range of seasonal variation in the body temperature of the animal. 2. 2. Electrofocusing of the enzyme shows a single form of the enzyme in both hibernating and nonhibernating animals, with an isoelectric point of 5.15. 3. 3. Specific activity is significantly higher in the nonhibernator than in the hibernator, but substrate affinities for 6-phosphogluconate (6PG) and NADP + are not significantly different between the two states, or over the temperature range 5–37°C. 4. 4. ADP, ATP, Mg 2+ and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) have no effect on enzyme activity, while AMP is mildly inhibitory ( K i = 2.18 mM). NADPH is a potent inhibitor ( K i = 0.02 mM), and may be a major regulator of 6PGD activity. 5. 5. These results suggest that the major changes in the activity of 6PGD accompanying the onset of hibernation are brought about by a combination of seasonal changes in enzyme concentration, and by the effects of a reduction in thermal energy accompanying the lowering of body temperature.
Sustaining competitive advantage by adopting logistics and supply chain management software: a research agenda grounded in resource advantage theory

The objective of this study is to advance theoretical understanding as it pertains to sustaining a competitive advantage through the adoption of LSCM software. Firms must go beyond traditional production and manufacturing improvements to compete successfully. The key to success in today’s market lies in the effective use of knowledge and intellectual capital. Resource-advantage (R-A) theory borrows from economics, marketing, organisational management, and competition strategy; and provides a new composite perspective of LSCM software adoption. The generalisability of R-A theory has proven to be a valuable lens from which to view competition. However, the broad nature of this theory does not provide sufficient direction for managers in their quest for sustaining competitive advantage. This research proposes tests of R-A theory that will allow managers to better understand the competitive advantage that can come from adopting LSCM software and how to best position their firms for success.
Two pools of Triton X‐100‐insoluble GABAA receptors are present in the brain, one associated to lipid rafts and another one to the post‐synaptic GABAergic complex

Rat forebrain synaptosomes were extracted with Triton X-100 at 4 degrees C and the insoluble material, which is enriched in post-synaptic densities (PSDs), was subjected to sedimentation on a continuous sucrose gradient. Two pools of Triton X-100-insoluble gamma-aminobutyric acid type-A receptors (GABA(A)Rs) were identified: (i) a higher-density pool (rho = 1.10-1.15 mg/mL) of GABA(A)Rs that contains the gamma2 subunit (plus alpha and beta subunits) and that is associated to gephyrin and the GABAergic post-synaptic complex and (ii) a lower-density pool (rho = 1.06-1.09 mg/mL) of GABA(A)Rs associated to detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) that contain alpha and beta subunits but not the gamma2 subunit. Some of these GABA(A)Rs contain the delta subunit. Two pools of GABA(A)Rs insoluble in Triton X-100 at 4 degrees C were also identified in cultured hippocampal neurons: (i) a GABA(A)R pool that forms clusters that co-localize with gephyrin and remains Triton X-100-insoluble after cholesterol depletion and (ii) a GABA(A)R pool that is diffusely distributed at the neuronal surface that can be induced to form GABA(A)R clusters by capping with an anti-alpha1 GABA(A)R subunit antibody and that becomes solubilized in Triton X-100 at 4 degrees C after cholesterol depletion. Thus, there is a pool of GABA(A)Rs associated to lipid rafts that is non-synaptic and that has a subunit composition different from that of the synaptic GABA(A)Rs. Some of the lipid raft-associated GABA(A)Rs might be involved in tonic inhibition.
Episodic-like memory in Ts65Dn, a mouse model of Down syndrome.

Ts65Dn mice, like individuals with Down syndrome (DS), demonstrate a functional dissociation between explicit and implicit forms of memory, showing selective impairment in explicit or declarative learning tasks. Here, we explored Ts65Dn explicit memory deficits further by evaluating the ability of these mice to assimilate the temporal and spatial contexts under which previously novel objects had been encountered. We found that Ts65Dn mice could in fact form contextual representations of objects over the course of a few hours, contrary to their inability to discriminate object novelty over a more prolonged period of 24 hours. These results suggest that Ts65Dn mice might have particular difficulties in declarative tasks requiring long-term memory, presenting an especially important putative therapeutic target for pre-clinical and clinical DS research.
Estimated blood volumes in polycythemic neonates as a function of birth weight

This prospective study was designed to test the correlation of blood volume per kilogram of body weight with birthweight in polycythemic neonates. One hundred and sixty-four neonates with venous hematocrits of 65% or greater were treated with partial exchange transfusion. Follow-up venous hematocrits were obtained, and BV/kg was estimated for each infant based on the exchange volume used and the observed change in hematocrit. Birth weights ranged from 1,210 to 5,080 gm. Individual blood volume estimates ranged from 44 to 176 ml/kg, with a mean of 88.4±23.5 ml/kg. There was a highly significant negative linear correlation of BV/kg with birth weight ( P
Laser raman studies on the conformation and interactions of DNA in crystals an in solution

A laser microscope has been designed and constructed that permits the obtaining of polarized laser Raman spectra from microcrystals of deoxyoligodeoxynucleotides (short pieces of DNA). By comparing the Raman spectra obtained from single crystals where the DNA conformation is known from X-ray diffractions experiments with crystals whose DNA conformation is unknown it is possible to obtain the secondary structure of a large number of oligonucleotides as a function of their base sequence. Furthermore, by comparing the Raman spectra of DNA in the crystal with that in solution one can see changes between the crystal and solution conformation. In this way important new information about the relation between base sequence and the environmentally induced polymorphism in DNA can be deduced. It is found that small but significant changes in the Raman spectra of the dodecamer, d(CGCGAATTCGCG) upon going from the crystal to solution or upon complexing with the restriction enzyme, Eco R1. These changes are interpreted in terms of differences in the conformation of the DNA in each of these environments.
EGF promotes the shedding of soluble E-cadherin in an ADAM10-dependent manner in prostate epithelial cells

During the progression of prostate cancer, the epithelial adhesion molecule E-cadherin is cleaved from the cell surface by ADAM15 proteolytic processing, generating an extracellular 80kDa fragment referred to as soluble E-cadherin (sE-cad). Contrary to observations in cancer, the generation of sE-cad appears to correlate with ADAM10 activity in benign prostatic epithelium. The ADAM10-specific inhibitor INCB8765 and the ADAM10 prodomain inhibit the generation of sE-cad, as well as downstream signaling and cell proliferation. Addition of EGF or amphiregulin (AREG) to these untransformed cell lines increases the amount of sE-cad shed into the conditioned media, as well as sE-cad bound to EGFR. EGF-associated shedding appears to be mediated by ADAM10 as shRNA knockdown of ADAM10 results in reduced shedding of sE-cad. To examine the physiologic role of sE-cad on benign prostatic epithelium, we treated BPH-1 and large T immortalized prostate epithelial cells (PrEC) with an sE-cad chimera comprised of the human Fc domain of IgG(1), fused to the extracellular domains of E-cadherin (Fc-Ecad). The treatment of untransformed prostate epithelial cells with Fc-Ecad resulted in phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream signaling through ERK and increased cell proliferation. Pre-treating BPH-1 and PrEC cells with cetuximab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody against EGFR, decreased the ability of Fc-Ecad to induce EGFR phosphorylation, downstream signaling, and proliferation. These data suggest that ADAM10-generated sE-cad may have a role in EGFR signaling independent of traditional EGFR ligands.
LASER PROCESSING OF MATERIALS FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT The use of laser processing within the automotive industry on a world-wide basis is reviewed. Lasers have been in use on the production line for about 20 years and have become accepted as reliable, economical working tools in operations ranging from cutting and drilling to welding and transformation hardening. Some basic principles underlying their use are described and examples in each major processing category outlined. Although healthy, laser processing for automobile applications is likely to grow even more vigorously as capital costs are reduced and as awareness of the laser's potential is increased.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Self-Assembled Monolayers: Sandwich Architecture and Nanoparticle Shape Dependence

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates is presented for SAMs onto which gold nanoparticles of various shapes have been electrostatically immobilized. SERS spectra of 4-MBA SAMs are enhanced in the presence of immobilized gold nanocrystals by a factor of 107−109 relative to 4-MBA in solution. Large enhancement factors are a likely result of plasmon coupling between the nanoparticles (localized surface plasmon) and the smooth gold substrate (surface plasmon polariton), creating large localized electromagnetic fields at their interface, where 4-MBA molecules reside in this sandwich architecture. Moreover, enhancement factors depend on nanoparticle shape and vary by a factor of 102. This SERS geometry offers large surface enhancements for molecules adsorbed onto planar substrates and could be quite useful for determining chemical information for poor Raman scatterers from assays on 2-D substrates.
DNA-Binding Properties of Arabidopsis MADS Domain Homeotic Proteins APETALA1, APETALA3, PISTILLATA and AGAMOUS

The MADS domain proteins APETALA1 (AP1), APETALA3 (AP3), PISTILLATA (PI), and AGAMOUS (AG) specify the identity of Arabidopsis floral organs. AP1 and AG homocomplexes and AP3-PI heterocomplexes bind to CArG-box sequences. The DNA-binding properties of these complexes were investigated. We find that AP1, AG and AP3-PI are all capable of recognizing the same DNA-binding sites, although with somewhat different affinities. In addition, the three complexes induce similar conformational changes on a CArG-box sequence. Phasing analysis reveals that the induced distortion is DNA bending, oriented toward the minor groove. The molecular dissection of AP1, AP3, PI and AG indicates that the boundaries of the dimerization domains of these proteins vary. The regions required to form a DNA-binding complex include, in addition to the MADS box, the entire L region (which follows the MADS box) and the first putative amphipathic helix of the K box in the case of AP3-PI, while for AP1 and AG only a part of the L region is needed. The similarity of the DNA-binding properties of AP1, AP3-PI and AG is discussed with regard to the biological specificity that these proteins exhibit.
Tradable credits system design and cost savings for a national low carbon fuel standard for road transport

This research examines the economic implications of different designs for a national low carbon fuel standard (NLCFS) for the road transportation sector. A NLCFS based on the average Carbon Intensity (CI) of all fuels sold generates an incentive for fuel suppliers to reduce the measured CI of their fuels. The economic impacts are determined by the availability of low carbon fuels, estimates of which can vary widely. Also important are the compliance path, reference level CI, and the design of the credit system, particularly the opportunities for trading and banking. To quantitatively examine the implications of a NLCFS, we created the Transportation Regulation and Credit Trading (TRACT) Model. With TRACT, we model a NLCFS credit trading system among profit maximizing fuel suppliers for light- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel use for the United States from 2012 to 2030. We find that credit trading across gasoline and diesel fuel markets can lower the average costs of carbon reductions by an insignificant amount to 98% depending on forecasts of biofuel supplies and carbon intensities. Adding banking of credits on top of trading can further lower the average cost of carbon reductions by 5%–9% and greatly reduce year-to-year fluctuations in credit prices.
The Business of Ethics and Gender

Unethical decision-making behavior within organizations has received increasing attention over the past ten years. As a result, a plethora of studies have examined the relationship between gender and business ethics. However, these studies report conflicting results as to whether or not men and women differ with regards to business ethics. In this article, we propose that gender identity theory [Spence: 1993, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 64, 624–635], provides both the theory and empirical measures to explore the influence of psychological gender traits and gender-role attitudes on ethical perceptions of workplace behaviors. Statistical analyses of the data reveal that based on sex alone, no differences occur between men and women in their ethical perceptions. Yet, when a multidimensional approach to gender is applied, results show that expressive traits and egalitarian gender-role attitudes contribute to both men’s and women’s propensity to perceive unethical workplace behaviors as unethical. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are presented.
Evaluation of the impact of a pertussis cocooning program on infant pertussis infection.

Background:Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis immunization of infant contacts (cocooning) is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent infant pertussis. We determined whether implementing a cocooning program at Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, reduced sever
Unit Responses in the Frog's Tectum to Moving and Nonmoving Visual Stimuli

"Movement-detecting" units that respond little or not at all to illumination without movement, respond to change in position under stroboscopic light even when relatively large jumps in the visual field occur during a dark pause between two flashes. The threshold angle and angular velocity are different for different classes of units. They are higher for the periphery of the receptive field and increase with decreasing contrast. An inhibitory effect of a large surrounding of the receptive field coluld be demonstrated in class-2 neurvons.
Bichromatic and Equichromatic Lines in ℂ 2 and ℝ 2

Let G and R each be a finite set of green and red points, respectively, such that |G|=n, |R|=n−k, G∩R=∅, and the points of G∪R are not all collinear. Let t be the total number of lines determined by G∪R. The number of equichromatic lines (a subset of bichromatic) is at least (t+2n+3−k(k+1))/4. A slightly weaker lower bound exists for bichromatic lines determined by points in ℂ2. For sufficiently large point sets, a proof of a conjecture by Kleitman and Pinchasi is provided. A lower bound of (2t+14n−k(3k+7))/14 is demonstrated for bichromatic lines passing through at most six points. Lower bounds are also established for equichromatic lines passing through at most four, five, or six points.
Performance assessment of constrained model predictive control systems

A constrained minimum variance controller is derived based on a moving horizon approach that explicitly accounts for hard constraints on process variables. A procedure for the performance assessment of constrained model predictive control systems is then developed based on the constrained minimum variance controller. The performance bound computed using the proposed moving horizon approach converges to the unconstrained minimum variance performance bound when the constraints on process variables become inactive. The utility of the proposed method in the performance assessment of constrained model predictive control systems is demonstrated through a simulated example.
Cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha modulates NMDA neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal cultures

The arachidonic acid-specific cytosolic phospholipase A(2) alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) has been implicated in the generation of neurological injuries. cPLA(2)alpha-dependent neurological injury has been postulated to be mediated through inflammatory and eicosanoid pathways. We determined if cPLA(2)alpha amplifies the injury of a non-inflammatory, excitotoxic stimulus by modifying a well-described toxicity assay to measure the toxicity of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) in the CA1 region of organotypic, mouse hippocampal cultures. Hippocampal cultures from wild-type and cPLA(2)alpha knockout mice were exposed to 5, 7.5 or 10 microm NMDA for 1 h. Toxicity was measured 23 h later. Cultures derived from cPLA(2)alpha(-/-) mice and cultures treated with the selective inhibitor AACOCF(3) were significantly protected from NMDA toxicity, as compared with wild-type cultures. To determine if cPLA(2)alpha-dependent toxicity is cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 dependent, COX-2 and PGE(2) levels were measured 7 and 25 h after NMDA treatment. NMDA treatment failed to induce COX-2 protein or increase PGE(2) in the culture media in either genotype at either time. In contrast, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionophore treatment caused robust induction of COX-2 and PGE(2) in both genotypes. We conclude that cPLA(2)alpha may have a hitherto unrecognized direct effect on excitatory neurotoxicity, suggesting that cPLA(2)alpha inhibition is a therapeutic candidate for treatment of the early, excitotoxic injury observed in stroke.
Imaging Gold Atoms in Site-Isolated MgO-Supported Mononuclear Gold Complexes

Metal oxide- and zeolite-supported mononuclear gold complexes have been inferred, on the basis of spectroscopic data, to be catalytically active for alkene hydrogenation and CO oxidation. However, direct evidence that the catalysts are isolated, individual gold complexes in the absence of gold clusters or particles has been missing. Now we report the first evidence of uniquely site-isolated gold complexes on high-area MgO—in the absence of gold clusters or particles; the images were obtained with aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy.
Thermodynamics of daylight-pumped lasers.

We cast the problem of very-low-threshold, daylight-pumped lasers in a general thermodynamic framework. We calculate that the requirements to reach threshold are that the Stokes shift of such a laser be greater than 13.3kT calculate the absorption ratio of the pump/emission band and the geometrical aspect ratio both be greater than and that exp(13.3). We describe some luminescent material systems that might be able to satisfy these rigid requirements.
DIRECT ELEMENTARY REACTIONS OF BORON AND NITROGEN AT HIGH PRESSURES AND TEMPERATURES

Highly exothermic direct reactions between elements boron and nitrogen at high pressures and temperatures yield technologically important forms of hexagonal and cubic boron nitride (BN). The crystal structures of the reaction products vary with pressure. Below 10 GPa, hexagonal BN is the product; cubic or wurzite BN form at higher pressures. Under nitrogen-rich conditions, another hexagonal allotrope occurs; this seems to be a highly transparent, low density h{sup {prime}}-BN. No direct reactions occur at ambient temperature even at pressures as high as 50 GPa, implying that a large activation barrier limits the kinetics of these exothermic processes. Direct reactions between boron and oxygen are also discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Predicting and understanding undergraduate students' intentions to gamble in a casino using an extended model of the theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned behavior.

Given that current television programming contains numerous gambling portrayals, it is imperative to understand whether and to what extent these gambling behaviors in media influence individuals’ beliefs, attitudes, and intentions. This study explores an extended model of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) by including gambling media exposure as a distal, mediating and mediated factor in predicting undergraduate students’ intentions to gamble in a casino. Findings show that the extended model of TRA clearly indicates that the constructs of gambling media exposure, prior gambling experience, and level of gambling addiction contribute to the prediction of undergraduate students’ casino gambling intentions. Theoretical implications of gambling media effects and practical implications for public policy are discussed, and future research directions are outlined.
Molecular illustration in black and white

Abstract Two-dimensional image processing techniques are used to create black and white illustrations from conventional z-buffer images. The illustrations appear to be composed of lines—outlines, contour lines, and hatched shading—but are calculated as grey-scale raster images. They have the advantage of faithful reproduction in publication and ease of display on workstations and laser printers. A FORTRAN source code is provided.
Integrated Management of Fertilizers, Weed and Rice Genotypes Can Improve Rice Productivity

The influence of weed control on fertilizer nitrogen use efficiencies (NUEs) by rice genotypes was studied in the Senegal River valley of West Africa with a field experiment during four rice growing seasons. It was hypothesized that integrated management of technologies could improve rice productivity. The objective was to develop integrated high-return technologies that improve irrigated rice-based systems productivity and profitability. Data indicated that rice grain yields were affected by N fertilizer, genotypes and plant densities. In good weed control conditions, optimum doses of recommended N fertilizer varied from 80 to 180 kg N ha–1. Fertilizer N use efficiencies by genotypes were affected by weed control. Profitable management options of genotypes and N fertilizer recommendations have been identified. With a good control of weed, varieties and N fertilizer recommendations were suggested as integrated management options for farmers. But poor control of weed increased N lost, decreased grain yields and profitability. Two genotypes (WAS 55-B-B-2-1-2-5 and WAS 191-1-1-7 FKR) were found to be most competitive against weeds. However, no more than 60 kg N ha–1 should ever be recommended when weeds are poorly controlled. It was concluded that productivity and profitability of irrigated rice-based systems could be improved with integrated management options of genotypes, fertilizers and weed.