cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Herpesvirus 8 Viral Interleukin-6 Interacts with Splice Variant 2 of Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase Complex Subunit 1

Viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6) specified by human herpesvirus 8 is, unlike its cellular counterpart, secreted very inefficiently and can signal via vIL-62:gp1302 signaling complexes from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) compartment. Intracellular, autocrine activities of vIL-6 are important for proproliferative and prosurvival activities of the viral cytokine in latently infected primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells. However, the molecular determinants of vIL-6 ER localization and function are unclear. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis, we identified the database-documented but uncharacterized splice variant of vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1), termed VKORC1 variant 2 (VKORC1v2), as a potential interaction partner of vIL-6. In transfected cells, epitope-tagged VKORC1v2 was found to localize to the ER, to adopt a single-transmembrane (TM) topology placing the C tail in the ER lumen, and to bind vIL-6 via these sequences. Deletion mutagenesis and coprecipitation assays mapped the vIL-6-binding domain (vBD) of VKORC1v2 to TM-proximal residues 31 to 39. However, while sufficient to confer vIL-6 binding to a heterologous protein, vBD was unable to induce vIL-6 secretion when fused to (secreted) hIL-6, suggesting a VKORC1v2-independent mechanism of vIL-6 ER retention. In functional assays, overexpression of ER-directed vBD led to suppression of PEL cell proliferation and viability, effects also mediated by VKORC1v2 depletion and, as reported previously, by vIL-6 suppression. The growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of VKORC1v2 depletion could be rescued by transduced wild-type VKORC1v2 but not by a vIL-6-refractory vBD-altered variant, indicating the functional relevance of the vIL-6–VKORC1v2 interaction. Notably, gp130 signaling was unaffected by VKORC1v2 or vBD overexpression or by VKORC1v2 depletion, suggesting an alternative pathway of vIL-6 activity via VKORC1v2. Combined, our data identify a novel and functionally significant interaction partner of vIL-6 that could potentially be targeted for therapeutic benefit.
Obtaining Subwavelength Optical Spots Using Nanoscale Ridge Apertures

Concentrating light into a nanometer domain is needed for optically based materials processing at the nanoscale. Conventional nanometer-sized apertures suffer from low light transmission, therefore poor near-field radiation. It has been suggested that ridge apertures in various shapes can provide enhanced transmission while maintaining the subwavelength optical resolution. In this work, the near-field radiation from an H-shaped ridge nanoaperture fabricated in an aluminum thin film is experimentally characterized using near-field scanning optical microscopy. With the incident light polarized along the direction across the gap in the H aperture, the H aperture is capable of providing an optical spot of about 106 nm by 80 nm in full-width half-maximum size. which is comparable to its gap size and substantially smaller than those obtained from the square and rectangular apertures of the same opening area. Finite different time domain simulations are used to explain the experimental results. Variations between the spot sizes obtained from a 3 X 3 array of H apertures are about 4-6%. The consistency and reliability of the near-field radiation from the H apertures show their potential as an efficient near-field light source for materials processing at the nanoscale.
High resolution photoelectron spectroscopy of CH2F2, CH2Cl2 and CF2Cl2 using supersonic molecular beams

Abstract Molecular beam photoelectron spectroscopy using He I radiation (584 A) has been used to study the electronic structures of CH2F2, CH2Cl2 and CF2Cl2. The spectra obtained at a resolution of 13 meV show a number of new features, in addition to those reported earlier in the literature. Accurate values of the ionization potentials were obtained, and many new vibrational progressions were resolved and assigned. The first four ionic states are discussed in more detail on the basis of reported configuration interaction calculations and photoionization measurements. Ambiguities regarding the ordering of these states have been resolved. Although the agreement between theory and experiment is good in CF2Cl2, there are significant differences in CH2F2 and CH2Cl2.
Modification of metal partitioning by supplementing acid volatile sulfide in freshwater sediments

Acid volatile sulfide (AVS) is a component of sediments that complexes some cationic metals and thereby influences the toxicity of these metals to benthic organisms. Experimental manipulation of AVS in metal-contaminated sediments may provide a means to neutralize toxicity due to metals and thereby help assess the cause of sediment toxicity. This study evaluated the effect of spiking FeS, Na 2 S, and Na 2 S/FeSO 4 combined on the concentration of AVS, simultaneously extracted metals (SEM), and pore-water metals in uncontaminated and metal-enriched sediments. Experiments with solid FeS showed comparatively low effectiveness in increasing AVS. Spiking with either Na 2 S or Na 2 S/FeSO 4 combined increased AVS and/or reduced SEM metal in Cd-, Zn-, and Ni-spiked sediments and in a Cu-contaminated sediment collected from the field. Spiking with Na 2 S/FeSO 4 caused marked reductions in dissolved metal concentrations in the pore waters of these sediments; spiking with Na 2 S alone caused an apparent elevation in pore-water (Cu) metal that we believe is an artifact of metal sulfide formation in the filtered pore water. When the Na 2 S/FeSO 4 treatment was evaluated under conditions simulating those in sediment toxicity tests, alterations of AVS/SEM were nearly quantitative, except for Ni-spiked sediment, which showed lower efficiency than the Cd, Zn, or Cu sediments. It appears that AVS spiking holds promise for the experimental manipulation of metal toxicity in sediments.
Political socialization in the classroom revisited: The Kids Voting program

Abstract Can a civic education program have a short-term impact on political awareness of students and also lead to higher turnout by their parents? This political socialization study evaluates a program, used by 2.3 million students in 1994, that was designed to achieve both goals. Responses to a random survey of 24,976 participants in the Kids Voting program indicate that most students followed the election campaign closely and found the KV program to be enjoyable and useful. Analysis of non-equivalent control groups shows a slight gain in turnout in areas where schools used the program, compared to areas where it was not used. The study also suggests Kids Voting may have several secondary benefits, such as increased student use of the news media and increased discussions of public affairs with family and friends—activities which are linked to long-term political socialization. It remains unclear whether any changes in student attitudes associated with the program are simply short-term in nature.
Correlates of Social Anxiety, Religion, and Facebook

This study examines how religiosity, network homophily, and self-monitoring relate to social and Facebook-specific anxiety, role conflict, and Facebook intensity. Correlation analyses indicate a connection between Facebook use and anxiety, as well as a link between religiosity and anxiety. We found that role conflict correlates with Facebook intensity, Facebook-specific anxiety, and social anxiety. Regarding religiosity, those who prefer a literal interpretation of the Bible, attend church more frequently, and pray more often have higher anxiety. Facebookers who are higher self-monitors have a less homophilous Facebook network and are less likely to identify their religious views on Facebook.
Backward Monte Carlo Simulations in Radiative Heat Transfer

Standard Monte Carlo methods trace photon bundles in a forward direction, and may become extremely inefficient when radiation onto a small spot and/or onto a small direction cone is desired. Backward tracing of photon bundles is known to alleviate this problem if the source of radiation is large, but may also fail if the radiation source is collimated and/or very small. Various implementations of the backward Monte Carlo method are discussed, allowing efficient Monte Carlo simulations for problems with arbitrary radiation sources, including small collimated beams, point sources, etc., in media of arbitrary optical thickness
The origin of the nucleic Acid bases found in the royal jelly of the honeybee.

Abstract The discovery that the royal jelly of the honeybee contains large quantities of nucleic acids raises the question, “Where do these nucleic acids come from?” A review of pertinent literature strongly suggests that the same mechanism is involved as in the case of the extrachromosomal DNA of amphibian oocytes.
How Robust is the Folk Theorem

The folk theorem of repeated games has established that cooperative behavior can be sustained as an equilibrium in repeated settings. Early papers on private monitoring and a recent paper of Cole and Kocherlakota (Games and Economic Behavior, 53 [2005], 59–72) challenge the robustness of this result by providing examples in which cooperation breaks down when players observe only imperfect private signals about other players' actions, or when attention is restricted to strategies with finite memory. This paper shows that Cole and Kocherlakota's result is an artefact of a further restriction that they impose. We prove that the folk theorem with imperfect public monitoring holds with strategies with finite memory. As a corollary, we establish that the folk theorem extends to environments in which monitoring is close to public, yet private.
Description of statistical theory of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

The underlying phenomena in Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) physics, reconstruction, and analysis can be described by their statistics. This paper reports some new developments and focuses on two aspects: (1) new insights into statistical theory of MRI beyond its conclusions, and (2) three new applications of this theory spanned from image analysis to imaging physics. Why MR signals as well as k-space samples are statistically independent? When k-space samples are independent, why pixels in the reconstructed images are correlated? How does this correlation arise? Are spatially asymptotic independence and exponential correlation coefficient consistent? Why the homogeneity and scales can be characterized by stationarity and ergodicity? This paper provides answers to these questions. The first application of statistical theory of MRI is a stochastic model-based image analysis approach. The second application is a sensor array processing approach for detecting distinctive object regions. The third application is the Parallel Magnetic Resonance imaging (P-MRI) which shows by combining statistics of MRI and sensor array processing, P-MRI can be easily formulated. This paper shows that statistical theory of MRI not only provides basis for MR imaging, reconstruction, and analysis, but also offers means to integrate signal processing methods and image processing methods for solving various MRI related problems.
Studies Of Ultrathin Polymer Films For Lithographic Applications

The advantages of minimizing polymer resist thickness to the macromolecular dimensions are manifold. In optical lithography, ultrathin resists can improve exposure and focus latitude and alleviate the problem of absorption in conventional resists for deep ultra-violet (UV) exposure. In electron beam lithography it is desirable to reduce the resist thickness to minimize forward electron scattering in the resist, and to allow penetration when using the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) as a very low voltage exposure source. Moreover, we can better understand many phenomena such as the nature of the pinholes and etching resistance, which are still puzzles for the thicker films. Here we describe the preparation and characterization of resists of ultrathin polymer films (10 nm to 200 nm) formed by both the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) and spin-cast techniques. The characterization techniques include fluorescence spectroscopy, electron beam exposure and development, and etch resistance. The fluorescence spectroscopy results of spin cast polystyrene films suggest a dramatic increase in the ordering of the molecular structure as the film thickness is reduced below 0.2 μm; this increase is most marked for materials of large molecular weights. This suggested that the lithographic properties and the defect (pinhole) density of such films might be significantly different from the results expected by extrapolation from thicker (>200 nm) films. Ultrathin poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) films (thinner than 20 nm) prepared by LB and spin-cast techniques and novolac resists prepared by the spin-cast technique were explored as electron beam resists, using a Perkin Elmer MEBES I pattern generation system for exposure. The results have demonstrated the resolution and etch resistance capabilities of such films for patterning 0.1 μm features in 50 nm of chromium film. The most surprising result has been that the pinhole density in these films has been far lower than previously expected levels.
On the rationale of maximum-entropy methods

We discuss the relations between maximum-entropy (MAXENT) and other methods of spectral analysis such as the Schuster, Blackman-Tukey, maximum-likelihood, Bayesian, and Autoregressive (AR, ARMA, or ARIMA) models, emphasizing that they are not in conflict, but rather are appropriate in different problems. We conclude that: 1) "Orthodox" sampling theory methods are useful in problems where we have a known model (sampling distribution) for the properties of the noise, but no appreciable prior information about the quantities being estimated. 2) MAXENT is optimal in problems where we have prior information about multiplicities, but no noise. 3) The full Bayesian solution includes both of these as special cases and is needed in problems where we have both prior information and noise. 4) AR models are in one sense a special case of MAXENT, but in another sense they are ubiquitous in all spectral analysis problems with discrete time series. 5) Empirical methods such as Blackman-Tukey, which do not invoke even a likelihood function, are useful in the preliminary, exploratory phase of a problem where our knowledge is sufficient to permit intuitive judgments about how to organize a calculation (smoothing, decimation, windows, prewhitening, padding with zeroes, etc.) but insufficient to set up a quantitative model which would do the proper things for us automatically and optimally.
Natural history, duplex characteristics, and histopathologic correlation of arterial injuries in a canine model

Abstract The treatment of patients with penetrating extremity trauma in proximity to major arteries as well as the nonoperative treatment of clinically occult arterial injuries remain controversial. Duplex ultrasonography (DUS) has recently been advocated in this setting. We therefore studied experimentally induced arterial injuries in dogs to correlate the natural history, duplex findings, and histopathologic condition of different injuries and to help define criteria for operation. Fifty-two canine femoral and carotid arteries were randomized to have surgically created intimal flaps ( n = 15), crush injuries ( n = 15), or lacerations ( n = 15) or to be controls ( n = 7). An experienced sonographer, blinded to the presence or type of injury, evaluated the vessels every 10 days for 1 month. Histopathologic study was performed 1 month after injury when the arteries were retrieved. The sensitivity (96.5%), specificity (86.4%), and accuracy (95.1%) of DUS in evaluating arterial injuries at 1 month correlated well with histopathologic evaluation. All arteries subjected to crush injuries showed abnormal duplex findings. These findings correlated well with the histologic picture of severe injury (arterial wall thickness=2.72 × ± 0.23 × control; intramural hemorrhage, 93%; mural thrombus, 60%). DUS and histologic study revealed healing of intimal flaps in 27% of the arteries. Other intimal flaps deteriorated (stenoses, 47%; dilation, 13%; occlusion, 13%). Most lacerations (86%) revealed duplex evidence of healing within 10 days of injury. This was confirmed by histologic study at 1 month in 73% of lacerated arteries. This study confirms the accuracy of DUS in diagnosing various arterial injuries and shows that the natural history of these injuries varies with the mechanism of injury. Arterial injuries with benign characteristics on DUS may not require repair; however, those with intramural hemorrhage, obstructing intimal defects, or progressive stenosis associated with increasing wall thickness may require repair. These data suggest a role for the nonoperative treatment of clinically occult arterial injuries based on duplex characteristics, and they indicate a need for clinical trials. (J Vasc Surg 1992;16:867–76.)
Rural elementary school districts in Nebraska: Their application for ECIA funds as related to demographic and economic issues

Abstract Nebraska has is 680 class 1 (elementary only) school districts most of which are one two or three room country schools The non use of ECIA Chapter 2 funds (over $17.000 by class 1 districts prompted examination of economic and demographic characteristics that showed a marked difference between class 1 districts using Chipter 2 funds and those not usine them. It was found that class 1 districts with more positive demographic economic and educational statistics participated in ECIA at a high rate white districts whose economic and educational statistics would indicate a higher need for ECIA funds were in fact less likely to apply for them.
Authentication of LZ-77 compressed data

The formidable dissemination capability allowed by the current network technology makes it increasingly important to devise new methods to ensure authenticity. Nowadays it is common practice to distribute documents in compressed form. In this paper, we propose a simple variation on the classic LZ-77 algorithm that allows one to hide, within the compressed document, enough information to warrant its authenticity. The design is based on the unpredictability of a certain class of pseudo-random generators, in such a way that the hidden data cannot be retrieved in a reasonable amount of time by an attacker (unless the secret bit-string key is known). Since it can still be decompressed by the original LZ-77 algorithm, the embedding is completely "transparent". Preliminary experiments show also the degradation in compression due to the embedding is almost negligible.
Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Zr4+ and Ni2+ Ions Substituted Mn–Cu Spinel Ferrites

The Mn–Cu nanoferrites of composition Mn0.5Cu0.5Fe2−2x Ni x Zr x O4 (0.00≤x≤0.80) were synthesized by incorporating dopant Zr4+ and Ni2+ cations via a chemical coprecipitation technique. The single phase of the prepared spinel nanoferrites with particle sizes 15–31 nm was confirmed by XRD. Both electrical and magnetic properties are found to depend on the x contents and explained by considering the Zr4+ and Ni2+ cations distribution, displacement of the Fe3+ ions by dopants, changes in magnetic moment at tetrahedral A site and octahedral B site, Fe3+(A)–O2–Fe3+ [B] linkages and extent of the primary superexchange interactions (A)–O–[B] of the Fe3+ ions on the A and B-sites. DC resistivity, saturation magnetization (M s), remanence (M r) and Bohr magneton (n B) are observed to increase up to x≤0.40, while these parameters fall at relatively higher value of x≥0.60.
Nebula/DSCR1 Upregulation Delays Neurodegeneration and Protects against APP-Induced Axonal Transport Defects by Restoring Calcineurin and GSK-3β Signaling

Post-mortem brains from Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients show an upregulation of the Down syndrome critical region 1 protein (DSCR1), but its contribution to AD is not known. To gain insights into the role of DSCR1 in AD, we explored the functional interaction between DSCR1 and the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is known to cause AD when duplicated or upregulated in DS. We find that the Drosophila homolog of DSCR1, Nebula, delays neurodegeneration and ameliorates axonal transport defects caused by APP overexpression. Live-imaging reveals that Nebula facilitates the transport of synaptic proteins and mitochondria affected by APP upregulation. Furthermore, we show that Nebula upregulation protects against axonal transport defects by restoring calcineurin and GSK-3β signaling altered by APP overexpression, thereby preserving cargo-motor interactions. As impaired transport of essential organelles caused by APP perturbation is thought to be an underlying cause of synaptic failure and neurodegeneration in AD, our findings imply that correcting calcineurin and GSK-3β signaling can prevent APP-induced pathologies. Our data further suggest that upregulation of Nebula/DSCR1 is neuroprotective in the presence of APP upregulation and provides evidence for calcineurin inhibition as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in preventing axonal transport impairments associated with AD.
Linear and orthogonal models of acculturation and its relations to cultural variables: An examination of the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA)

Abstract The Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA) is the most widely used measure of acculturation for Asians. The purpose of the current study was twofold: First, the study explored the consistency of the SL-ASIA in characterizing Asian American men's level of acculturation – Asian-Identified, Western-Identified, Bicultural – using the items of the scale in orthogonal versus linear approaches. Second, the study examined the association between the two scoring methods and characteristics indicative of Asian culture—family allocentrism, loss of face, and affect intensity. An orthogonal approach suggests individuals may identify both with Asian and Western cultures, whereas a linear approach indicates an individual identifies with one culture at the expense of the other (e.g., high Asian, low Western identified). We examined the classification rates of these two methods using a large sample of Asian-American collegiate men ( n = 521) and then within each ethnic subgroup of Asian men (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean). Results suggested the two methods of characterizing men consistently diverged. Across the Asian subgroups, the overall agreement rates using linear and orthogonal methods were approximately at chance. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed among acculturation scoring methods and variables indicative of social integrity and family attitude. The implications for these findings and potential future directions for the study of acculturation are discussed.
Prolonged spontaneous movement following emergence from propofol/nitrous oxide anesthesia.

Propofol is an anesthetic used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia (1) and for sedation during monitored anesthesia care (2). Spontaneous motor movement frequently occurs (3,4) and transient opisthotonos occasionally occurs (5) during induction of general anesthesia with propofol. Unresponsiveness lasting 5 h, transient opisthotonos, and transient tonic-clonic motor activity, all associated with altered patient mental status, have been described during the recovery period following surgical procedures lasting less than 20 min for which propofol was the drug used for induction of anesthesia (6). We present a patient who, despite an intact mental status, experienced new onset of involuntary myoclonic-dystonic motor movement which lasted several days following emergence from a propofol/nitrous oxide anesthetic.
The role of analogy in transfer between similar problem states

Abstract The study investigated the effect of transfer between two problems having similar (homomorphic) problem states. The results of three experiments revealed that although transfer occurred between repetition of the same problems, transfer occurred between the Jealous Husbands problem and the Missionary—Cannibal problem only when (a) Ss were told the relationship between the two problems and (b) the Jealous Husbands problem was given first. The results are related to the formal structure of the problem space and to alternative explanations of the use of analogy in problem solving. These include memory for individual moves, memory for general strategies, and practice in applying operators.
Reverse transcriptase in type C virus particles of human origin.

Reverse transcriptase activity has been found in a type C virus isolated from a cell line from a patient with lymphoma which showed antigenic characteristics distinct from other mammalian type C viruses. These findings open several possibilities for determining the relationship of this virus to the pathogenesis of human lymphoma.
Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis responsive to selenium sulfide.

: Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Cougerot and Carteaud (CRP) is a distinctive clinicopathologic entity, of unknown etiology, which shows some resemblance to pityriasis versicolor. A case of CRP that showed a signific ant therapeutic response to topical selenium sulfide is reported. In previously described cases, response to this agent and to other medications, both antifungal and keratolytic, has been variable. A review of these cases reveals conflicting evidence regarding the questionable role of Malassezia furfur in CRP.
On-orbit Absolute Calibration of Temperature with Application to the CLARREO Mission

NASA's anticipated plan for a mission dedicated to climate (CLARREO) will hinge upon the ability to fly absolute standards that can provide the basis to meet stringent requirements on measurement accuracy For example, instrumentation designed to measure spectrally resolved infrared radiances will require high-emissivity calibration blackbodies having absolute temperature uncertainties of better than 0.045 K (3 sigma). A novel scheme to provide absolute calibration of temperature sensors, suitable for CLARREO on-orbit operation, has been demonstrated in the laboratory at the University of Wisconsin. The scheme uses the transient temperature signature obtained during the phase change of different reference materials, imbedded in the same thermally conductive medium as the temperature sensors - in this case the aluminum blackbody cavity. Three or more reference materials can be used to assign an absolute scale to the thermistor sensors over a large temperature range. Using very small quantities of phase change material (<1/250th the mass of the cavity), melt temperature accuracies of better than 10 mK have been demonstrated for Hg, H2O, and Ga, providing calibration from 233K to 303K. The flight implementation of this new scheme will involve special considerations for packaging the phase change materials to ensure long-term compatibility with the containment system, and design features that help ensure that the on-orbit melt behavior in a microgravity environment is unchanged from pre-flight full gravitational conditions under which the system is characterized.© (2008) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vocalizations, phylogeny and palaeogeography of red colobus monkeys (Colobus badius)

Summary Vocalizations from eight of the fourteen subspecies of red colobus monkeys were compared to the present-day distribution of these subspecies and the hypothetical locations of upper Pleistocene forest refugia. Many of the similarities and differences in vocalizations of these subspecies can best be understood in terms of their refuge areas in the past. The degree of vocal similarity between subspecies presumably depends upon which upper Pleistocene forest refugia they originated from, how long they have been geographically separated and the selection pressures and rates of evolution acting on the vocalizations. In addition to suggesting forest refugia from which the various subspecies of red colobus originated, predictions are made about vocal similarities of subspecies which have not previously been studied. Finally, a general critique is given on the relative values of coat colour, craniology and vocalizations in the study of phylogeny among old world monkeys. RESUMEE Les vocalisations de huit de quatorze sous-especes de Colobe rouge furent comparees avec la distribution actuelle de-ces sous-especes et les localisations hypothetiques des refuges forestiers du Pleistocene superieur. De nombreuses ressemblances et differences de vocalisations sont le mieux comprises en fonction de leur refuge dans le passe. Le degre de resemblance vocale entre 2 sous-especes depend probablement du refuge forestier au Pleistocene superieur, de la periode a laquelle elles ont ete geographiquement separees et des pressions selectives et tout d'evolution jouant sur les vocalisations. Outre la suggestion des refuges forestiers desquels les Colobes rouges proviennent, des predictions sont avancees concernant des ressemblances vocales du sous-espkees non encore etudiees. Enfin, une critique generale est formulee sur la couleur relative du pelage, la craniologie et les vocalisations dans le cadre de l'etude de la phyllogenie des singes de l'ancienmonde.
Lipotoxicity in the Pancreatic Beta Cell: Not Just Survival and Function, but Proliferation as Well?

Free fatty acids (FFAs) exert both positive and negative effects on beta cell survival and insulin secretory function, depending on concentration, duration, and glucose abundance. Lipid signals are mediated not only through metabolic pathways, but also through cell surface and nuclear receptors. Toxicity is modulated by positive signals arising from circulating factors such as hormones, growth factors and incretins, as well as negative signals such as inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Intracellular mechanisms of lipotoxicity include metabolic interference and cellular stress responses such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and possibly autophagy. New findings strengthen an old hypothesis that lipids may also impair compensatory beta cell proliferation. Clinical observations continue to support a role for lipid biology in the risk and progression of both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This review summarizes recent work in this important, rapidly evolving field.
Comparing the CENA GMPEs Using NGA-East Ground-Motion Database

Online Material: Tables and figures of GMPE parameters, NGA‐East database summary statistics, mean residuals, skewness and kurtosis, results from log‐likelihood analysis, and ranking. A number of ground‐motion prediction equations (GMPEs) have been introduced in recent years that are redefining the state of practice for probabilistic seismic‐hazard analysis (PSHA) in many earthquake‐prone regions worldwide. For example, the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA)‐East is developing a new ground‐motion characterization (GMC) model for the central and eastern North American (CENA) region. The GMC model will consist of a set of new GMPEs for median and standard deviation of ground motions and their associated weights in the logic trees for use in PSHA. An example is the empirical GMPE by Al Noman (2013). GMPEs are developed for specific tectonic environments using multivariate regression on ground‐motion databases, and the relationships are updated as more earthquake data are obtained (Kramer, 1996; Abrahamson and Shedlock, 1997). Because of the improvement of seismological networks, and increasing size and quality of ground‐motion databases, the number of proposed ground‐motion models has increased significantly in the last decade to reflect the seismological features of the seismic‐prone regions worldwide, that is, Douglas (2011) gives 289 empirical GMPEs for PGA and 188 models for the prediction of elastic response spectral ordinates. The NGA‐East project has developed an updated database of CENA ground motions (Cramer et al. , 2009, 2010, 2013) containing over 11,000 records and covering distance and magnitude ranges of 1–3500 km and M w 2.2–7.6, but mostly less than M w 6.0 (Fig. 1). The selection of candidate GMPEs, especially the assignment of logic‐tree weights, and selecting appropriate predictive models to calculate hazard in a site (or a region) of interest has become a popular topic in engineering seismology. The ground shaking in the target region must be well reflected …
Tension-type headache

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common headache encountered, with most people experiencing TTH at some time in their lives. Diagnostic criteria are somewhat vague and nonspecific, with TTH mainly defined by the absence of associated migrainous features. Generally, TTH does not cause impairment, and sufferers can go about their daily lives. TTH can be divided into episodic and chronic, with the chronic variety being much more likely to come to medical attention. Pathophysiology is still largely unknown, and TTH is associated with a greater chance of comorbid anxiety disorders and depression. Treatment involves patient education and consideration of medication and nonmedication options. The mainstays of treatment are the intermittent use of simple analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. The most commonly used prophylactic options are the tricyclic antidepressants. Relaxation therapy and biofeedback are clearly beneficial as well. The practitioner is cautioned that apparent TTH may mimic secondary headache disorders hence one must be cautious with the diagnosis, especially in older individuals and new onset headache.
Structural Changes in the Arginine Vasopressin Molecule that Enhance Antidiuretic Activity and Specificity1

Three structural changes in the arginine varopressin (AVP) molecule are known to enhance antidiuretic specificity by increasing the ratio of antidiuretic to vasopressor activities (A⁄V ratio). These are: (a) substitution of an amino acid with a smaller and less hydrophilic amino acid side chain for the 4-glutamine, (b) substitution of H for the N-terminal free amino group (deamination) and (c) substitution of Dfor L-arginine in the 8-position. We have synthesized and studied several analogs of AVP in which these three changes have been made singly and in various combinations. We prepared 4- valine analogs since these had not been studied before. Its highly hydrophobic side chain made valine an obvious choice with which to test further the hypothesis that the lipophilic character of the side chain on the amino acid in the 4-position plays a key role in endowing vasopressin analogs with enhanced antidiuretic specificity. Substitution of valine for glutamine did indeed enhance specificity, most strikingly wh...
Problems and strategies for sexual identity and cultural integration Mexican-American women on the move

Abstract Although Mexican-American women have played a major role in improving the general condition of their own people, they have traditionally been content to be passive. But even in a society which often has been viewed as sexist, Mexican-American women are becoming more assertive in communicating both their ethnic and their social identity. They are determined to enter mainstream American society on their own terms. They are convinced that the struggle for women's liberation is also their struggle. They believe that a strong independent Chicana movement, as part of the larger feminist movement in the United States, and as part of the movement of La Raza, can ensure success of their struggle.
Grasslands, heathlands and shrublands in coastal New England: historical interpretations and approaches to conservation

Aim This study evaluates the long-term history of grassland, heathland and shrubland communities that are high priorities for conservation in the north-eastern US and support numerous globally rare species. Such an historical perspective is necessary in order to develop appropriate conservation and management approaches for these communities. Location The study area encompasses the coastal region that extends from Cape Cod, MA to Long Island, NY, including the islands of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Block Island. Methods In order to determine whether open-land habitats occurred in the study region prior to European arrival in the seventeenth century and to assess changes to these communities through the historical period, a wide range of palaeoecological, archaeological, ethno-historical, biological and field data were reviewed. Information about the history of human impacts on these communities was used to interpret landscape change over time and to evaluate current and potential conservation and management approaches. Results The region was predominantly wooded prior to widespread Euro-American land clearing beginning in the seventeenth century, with some areas of early successional habitats, primarily on exposed sites and near Native American settlements. Grasslands, heathlands and shrublands increased dramatically as a result of intensive and primarily agricultural disturbance through the historical period. The decline in recent decades of these communities results from extensive residential and commercial development, and from widespread abandonment of traditional agricultural practices, especially intensive grazing. Main conclusions Despite considerable uncertainty as to the pre-European distribution and abundance of species characteristic of grasslands, heathlands and shrublands, historical disturbances have been sufficiently widespread and severe that it is unlikely that modern species assemblages closely resemble those that occurred prior to European arrival. Management aimed at perpetuating early successional species assemblages on sites other than exposed, coastal locations may require use of traditional land-use practices or appropriate substitutes of comparable intensity.
Possible heavy-fermion behavior and field-induced transitions in new R-Pt-Ga compounds☆

Abstract We have discovered a new family of rare earth compounds that we identify as R 2− x Pt 4 Ga 8+ y . Single crystals of this family have been grown for RLa, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Er, Yb and Y. Many members (cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium and erbium) show large anisotropies in their magnetic susceptibility; further, electrical resistance, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements on the cerium member indicate that it is very possibly a heavy-electron compound with an electronic specific heat γ ≈ 1 J K −2 mol −1 . Additionally, other members of the family have a magnetic transition at low temperatures. The electrical resistance, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat in fields will be presented for the praseodymium-based compound in which there is a field-induced transition.
Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonist Therapy with Imidazoquinoline Enhances Cancer Cell Death and Increases Lymphocytic Infiltration and Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in Established Tumors of a Renal Cell Carcinoma Mouse Model

Imidazoquinolines are synthetic toll-like receptor 7 and 8 agonists and potent dendritic cell activators with established anticancer activity. Here we test the hypothesis that imidazoquinoline has in vivo efficacy within established renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors. Immunocompetent mice bearing syngeneic RCC xenografts were treated with imidazoquinoline or placebo at two separate time points. Harvested tumors were assayed by TUNEL/caspase-3/Ki67 immunostains to evaluate cell death/apoptosis/proliferation, and CD3/B220/CD45 immunostains to evaluate T-cell lymphocyte/B-cell lymphocyte/pan-leukocyte tumor infiltration. ELISA measurement of tumor and serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and MCP-1, was performed. A single imidazoquinoline dose significantly decreased RCC tumor growth by 50% and repeat dosing compounded the effect, without observed weight loss or other toxicity. Tumor immunostaining revealed significant increases in cell death and apoptosis without changes in cell proliferation, supporting induction of apoptosis as the primary mechanism of tumor growth suppression. Imidazoquinoline treatment also significantly enhanced peritumoral aggregation and intratumoral infiltration by T-cell lymphocytes, while increasing intratumoral (but not serum) levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, imidazoquinoline treatment enhances T-cell lymphocyte infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine production within established mouse RCC tumors, while suppressing tumor growth via induction of cancer cell apoptosis. These findings support a therapeutic role for imidazoquinoline in RCC.
Emerging methodologies to investigate lipid–protein interactions

Cellular membranes are composed of hundreds of different lipids, ion channels, receptors and scaffolding complexes that act as signalling and trafficking platforms for processes fundamental to life. Cellular signalling and membrane trafficking are often regulated by peripheral proteins, which reversibly interact with lipid molecules in highly regulated spatial and temporal fashions. In most cases, one or more modular lipid-binding domain(s) mediate recruitment of peripheral proteins to specific cellular membranes. These domains, of which more than 10 have been identified since 1989, harbour structurally selective lipid-binding sites. Traditional in vitro and in vivo studies have elucidated how these domains coordinate their cognate lipids and thus how the parent proteins associate with membranes. Cellular activities of peripheral proteins and subsequent physiological processes depend upon lipid binding affinities and selectivity. Thus, the development of novel sensitive and quantitative tools is essential in furthering our understanding of the function and regulation of these proteins. As this field expands into new areas such as computational biology, cellular lipid mapping, single molecule imaging, and lipidomics, there is an urgent need to integrate technologies to detail the molecular architecture and mechanisms of lipid signalling. This review surveys emerging cellular and in vitro approaches for studying protein–lipid interactions and provides perspective on how integration of methodologies directs the future development of the field.
POSTTRANSLATIONAL PROCESSING OF HEPCIDIN IN HUMAN HEPATOCYTES IS MEDIATED BY THE PROHORMONE CONVERTASE FURIN

Hepcidin is encoded as an 84 amino acid prepropeptide containing a typical N-terminal 24 amino acid endoplasmic reticulum targeting signal sequence, and a 35 amino acid proregion (pro) with a consensus furin cleavage site immediately followed by the C-terminal 25 amino acid bioactive iron-regulatory hormone (mature peptide). We performed pulse-chase studies of posttranslational processing of hepcidin in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and in primary human hepatocytes induced with bone morphogenic protein (BMP-9). In some experiments, the cells were treated with the furin protease inhibitor decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone (CMK) or furin siRNA. In the absence of furin inhibitor, hepcidin was found to be processed in less than 1 h and secreted as a 3 kDa form reactive with anti-mature but not anti-pro antibody. In the presence of furin inhibitors or furin siRNA, a 6 kDa form reactive with both anti-pro and anti-mature antibody was rapidly secreted into the medium. Processing was not affected by inhibitors of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) pathway, or by treatment with 30 microM holo- or apo-transferrin. In conclusion, the hepatic prohormone convertase furin mediates the posttranslational processing of hepcidin. The proteolytic cleavage of prohepcidin to hepcidin is not regulated by iron-transferrin or the HIF pathway.
Nonstoichiometry in the Zintl Phase Yb1−δZn2Sb2 as a Route to Thermoelectric Optimization

Classically, Zintl phases are defined as valence-precise line compounds and are thus expected to exhibit intrinsic semiconducting behavior. Contradicting this definition are AZn_2Sb_2 Zintl compounds (A = Ca, Sr, Eu, Yb), which exhibit metallic behavior due to high concentrations of cation vacancies, according to recent density functional calculations. Here, we use synchrotron diffraction and high-temperature electronic and thermal transport properties to show that the phase width of Yb_(1−δ)Zn_2Sb_2 is wide enough to allow for significant variation and optimization of the thermoelectric properties within the single phase region. Samples with nominal compositions of Yb_xZn_2Sb_2 (0.98 < x < 1.05) were synthesized using a solid-state process. With decreasing synthetic Yb content, synchrotron X-ray diffraction reveals decreased lattice parameters, decreased occupancy of the Yb site, and a relaxation of the tetrahedral angles within the Zn_2Sb_2 sheets. In Yb-deficient samples, the carrier concentration can be controlled by varying x, whereas, in samples with excess Yb, the carrier concentration remains constant and p-type. Fully intrinsic semiconducting behavior was not obtained, suggesting that a slightly Yb-deficient composition is thermodynamically preferable to the valence-precise stoichiometry of δ = 0. Tuning the vacancy concentration provides a new route to controlling the electronic properties in Yb_(1−δ)Zn_2Sb_2 and leads to a 50% improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit (zT = 0.85 at 773 K) compared to previously reported values for unalloyed YbZn_2Sb_2.
Cystathioninuria: Study of an infant withnormal mentality, thrombocytopenia, and renal calculi

In contrast to the three previously recorded patients with cystathioninuria, the infantdescribed here was mentally normal and had thrombocytopenia and urinary calculi. Studies were carried out to determine possible interrelationship of these manifestations with the disturbed metabolism of cystathionine.
The effect of initial concentration of reactants on the biological effectiveness of photochemical reaction products

Abstract Synthetic air pollution mixtures were produced by the irradiation of air containing nitrogen dioxide and butene-1 in an all-glass flowing system. The percentage of butene-1 consumed increased with the initial nitrogen dioxide concentration in the range of 2.3 to 4.5 ppm. Further increase in the nitrogen dioxide concentration led to less butene disappearance. After the first 40–60 min of irradiation, the amount of butene and of nitrogen dioxide which disappeared was constant. This observation, along with the small variations in oxidant analysis, suggested that photochemical products were not markedly changed with time. The amount of the reactants consumed and the inhibition of the subsequent growth of E. coli was a function of the initial ratio of the reactants. A butene-nitrogen dioxide ratio of 20 was most inhibiting. On doubling the concentration of the reactants, the inhibition factor doubled also. When the activity was determined with a glutamate substrate, the decrease in activity of glutamic dehydrogenase was linear with time of exposure of the enzyme. The activity of the enzyme was less inhibited in the reverse direction with an α-keto glutarate substrate.