cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiolipin accumulation in the inner and outer membranes of Escherichia coli mutants defective in phosphatidylserine synthetase.

Mutants of Escherichia coli defective in phosphatidylserine synthetase (pss) make less phosphatidylethanolamine than normal cells, and they are temperature sensitive for growth. We have isolated a new mutant, designated RA2021, which is better than previously available strains in that the residual phosphatidylethanolamine level approaches 25% after 4 h at 42°C. The total amount of phospholipid normalized to the density of the culture is about the same in RA2021 (pss-21) as in the isogenic wild-type RA2000 (pss+). Consequently, there is a net accumulation of polyglycerophosphatides in the mutant, particularly of cardiolipin. The addition of 10 to 20 mM MgCl2 to a culture of RA2021 prolongs growth under nonpermissive conditions and prevents loss of cell viability, but it does not eliminate the temperature-sensitive phenotype. Divalent cations, like Mg2+, do not correct the phospholipid composition of the mutant, but may act indirectly by balancing the negative charges of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. To determine the effects of the pss mutation on membrane composition, we have examined the subcellular distribution of the polyglycerophosphatides that accumulate in these strains. All of the excess anionic lipids of RA2021 are associated with the envelope fraction and are distributed equally between the inner and outer membranes. The protein compositions of the isolated membranes do not differ significantly in the mutant and wild type. The fatty acid composition of RA2021 is almost the same as wild type at 30°C, but there is more palmitic and cyclopropane fatty acid at 42°C. These results demonstrate that the modification of the polar lipid composition observed in pss mutants affects both membranes and that cardiolipin, which is not ordinarily present in large quantities, can accumulate in the outer membrane when it is overproduced by the cell. The altered polar headgroup composition of the outer membrane in pss mutants may account, in part, for their hypersensitivity to the aminoglycoside antibiotics.
SNAREs Controlling Vesicular Release of BDNF and Development of Callosal Axons

At presynaptic active zones, exocytosis of neurotransmitter vesicles (SVs) is driven by SNARE complexes that recruit Syb2 and SNAP25. However, it remains unknown which SNAREs promote the secretion of neuronal proteins, including those essential for circuit development and experience-dependent plasticity. Here we demonstrate that Syb2 and SNAP25 mediate the vesicular release of BDNF in axons and dendrites of cortical neurons, suggesting these SNAREs act in multiple spatially segregated secretory pathways. Remarkably, axonal secretion of BDNF is also strongly regulated by SNAP47, which interacts with SNAP25 but appears to be dispensable for exocytosis of SVs. Cell-autonomous ablation of SNAP47 disrupts the layer-specific branching of callosal axons of projection cortical neurons in vivo, and this phenotype is recapitulated by ablation of BDNF or its receptor, TrkB. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of protein secretion, and they define the functions of SNAREs in BDNF signaling and regulation of neuronal connectivity.
`The Kid' Has a Name

To the Editor.— As defined in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Boston, Houghton Mifflin Co, 1979): Kid (kid) n. 1. A young goat. 2. Leather made from the skin of a young goat. 3. Slang. a. A child. b. A young person. -adj. 1. Made of kid. 2. Informal. Younger: My kid brother. -tr. Informal. 1. To mock playfully; to tease. 2. To deceive in fun; to fool. English kide, kyde from Old Norse kidh, young goat.
Blended Instruction: The Roaring Twenties Meets Coursesites.com.

The action research study described in this report follows the design and implementation of a blended learning unit in a traditional English classroom. Twenty technical high school students in an 11th grade Honors English class engaged in a variety of internet-based activities in conjunction with traditional activities while studying The Great Gatsby. The instructor chose to use Coursesites.com for the learning management system, where students entered a virtual classroom to take surveys and quizzes; engaged in collaborative discussions in discussion forums, wikis, and blogs; and worked in collaborative online groups to create a final wiki or website. Use of internet resources, discussion forums, and other 21st century learning tools sparked new excitement for learning, and made an old favorite accessible to modern young minds.
Tetrazolium Reduction as a Measure of Metabolic Activity for Glass-Adherent Mycoplasma pneumoniae

The reduction of tetrazolium was used to assay the metabolic capability of developing Mycoplasma pneumoniae cultures on glass. Generally, the amount of tetrazolium reduced correlates with the amount of growth as measured by protein. Until a culture enters the late phase of the growth cycle, the drop in pH of culture medium provides similar information. In this last stage of growth, protein appears to be leveling. The pH continues to fall, but tetrazolium reducing activity decreases. Thus, considering the entire M. pneumoniae growth cycle, formazan production is a more reliable measure of metabolic capability of the organisms than either protein or pH. The reduction of tetrazolium provides a quantitative means of assessing enzymatic activities of glass-adherent M. pneumoniae.
Continuously tunable long wavelength cw DFG IR source suitable for high-resolution spectroscopy and trace gas detection

Summary form only given. The objective of this work is to develop a widely tunable source in the infrared for use in high-resolution spectroscopy and trace gas detection. We have begun development of a diode laser-pumped spectroscopic source based on difference frequency generation (DFG) in gallium selenide (GaSe) that is continuously tunable in the 7-18 micron region and will operate at room temperature.
Association of Troponin T, Detected With Highly Sensitive Assay, and Outcomes in Infective Endocarditis

Troponin levels have been correlated with adverse outcomes in multiple disease processes, including congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, sepsis, and, in a few small series, infective endocarditis. We hypothesized that a novel measurement of troponin using a highly sensitive assay would correlate with adverse outcomes when prospectively studied in patients with infective endocarditis. At a single center in the International Collaboration on Endocarditis, 42 patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent testing for cardiac troponin T (cTnT) using both a standard and a highly sensitive precommercial assay. The cTnT levels were associated with the prespecified primary composite outcome of death, central nervous system event, and cardiac abscess. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the composite outcome and the need for cardiac surgery. A receiver operating characteristic curve was derived and used to identify the optimal cutpoint for cTnT using the highly sensitive assay. cTnT was detectable with the highly sensitive assay in 39 (93%) of 42 patients with infective endocarditis and with the standard assay in 25 (56%) of 42 (p <0.05). Of the 42 patients, 15 experienced the composite outcome, 4 died, 9 had a central nervous system event, and 5 had a cardiac abscess. With the hs-cTnT assay, the median cTnT was greater in the patients who experienced the primary outcome (0.12 vs 0.02 ng/ml, p <0.05). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve of 0.74), cTnT levels of ≥0.08 ng/ml produced optimal specificity (78%) for the primary outcome. The patients with a cTnT level of ≥0.08 ng/ml were more likely to experience the primary outcome (odds ratio 7.0, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 28.6, p <0.01) and a central nervous system event (odds ratio 9.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 24.1, p = 0.02). In conclusion, cTnT is detectable in 93% of patients with infective endocarditis using a novel highly sensitive assay, with higher levels correlating with poor clinical outcomes.
SARPI: A simulator for assessing cognitive tasks in process control

SARPI is a computer-based simulation of a fluid processing plant, used to evaluate operator performance in managing process controls. SARPI represents a highly stylized facility, consisting of tanks, pumps, and valves where an operator can control valve settings to optimize system output or keep the system in equilibrium. It has been designed to meet the experimental requirements of researchers investigating cognitive tasks for operators and the impact of alternative display formats on operator performance. Experiments with SARPI have shown that simple modeling constructs can accurately represent complex cognitive tasks.
Improved pulse wave velocity wave front detection by template-matching

Background Pressure waves distributed through the aorta by left ventricular contraction propagate at a rate known as the pulse wave velocity (PWV). PWV is a measure of aortic stiffness, and increased PWV has been correlated with increased coronary artery disease risk. PWV can be measured by velocity-encoded magnetic resonance (PCMR), with velocity profiles collected at a minimum of two locations along the vessel. The commonly used simple linear regression method computes PWV from detected wavefronts in each profile and distance along the aorta. Recognizing the limitation imposed on wave front detection by simple maximum impulse by noise in the signal producing local maxima, we designed and tested a template-matching scheme to improve PWV estimation. Methods In vivo CMR was performed on a 3T scanner (Verio, Siemens Healthcare) in perimenopausal women with a variable number of atherosclerosis risk factors but no evident atherosclerotic disease. The derivation cohort consisted of 12 scans (4 patients over 3 time points) and validation cohort consisted of 139 scans PC-MR was acquired in an oblique sagittal plane through the descending aorta with in-plane velocity encoding in the head-foot direction and prospective ECG triggering (TE/ TR2.1/9.15 ms, Venc 150 cm/s, flip angle 15°). Distance from the base of the aorta and velocity were collected along the centerline of the aorta. Wave detection was performed at each cross section by the following scheme. A generalized logistic function f(a,t) = -Vmax +2Vmax/[1+exp{-a(t-c)}], c = tmax+ln(1/.99-1)/a, the center point, where Vmax is the maximum velocity, t is time, tmax is the time of the observed Vmax, and a was optimized to maximize the goodness of fit between the template and observed data between c and tmax. An example fit varying the control parameter, a, is shown in Figure 1. Pulse wave velocity was then calculated using simple linear regression over the (c, distance) pairs collected along the aorta. A one-tailed Student t-test with a of .05 was used to test for a significant increase in goodness of fit.
Selective Modification of Lipid Bilayer Dynamics and Fluidity Properties by Kl4 (Mimetic of Surfactant Protein B)

KL4, a 21 residue mimetic of surfactant protein B, is effective in the treatment of infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and functions by lowering aveolar surface tension and promoting oxygen exchange. Here we compare the results from previous NMR investigations to those of fluorescence characterization of the effects of KL4 on the lipid dynamics and organization in liposomes. We utilized a pyrene phospholipid analog to investigate the effect of KL4 on lipid organization and acyl chain dynamics by monitoring changes in excimer-to-monomer (Ie/Im) ratio. This experiment probes the environment of the hydrophobic core of DPPC/POPG and POPC/POPG liposomes. An average decrease of ∼27-40% and ∼0-10% in Ie/Im was observed in the DPPC/POPG and POPC/POPG LUVs, respectively, with increasing peptide concentration (0.5 to 5 mol%). This decrease is directly proportional to a lowered probability of excimer formation, which is highly dependent on proximal interactions of an excited monomer with a pyrene moiety at ground state.The ability of the peptide to modify membrane fluidity properties was studied via anisotropy measurements of a rhodamine-labeled phospholipid. A steady increase in the order was observed in the DPPC/POPG liposomes with relatively constant fluorescence intensity, while collisional quenching was observed in the POPC/POPG liposomes. These observations agree with NMR observations and proposed mechanisms of peptide-mediated lipid trafficking. Further studies on the orientation and penetration of the peptide were interrogated using power saturation SDSL EPR.
Social justice: a conservative perspective

Although political conservatives outnumber moderates and liberals in the American populace, the conservative political ideology is largely absent from academic, practice and policy discourse within the social work and social welfare communities. This article describes a conservative perspective on the topic of social justice and illustrates how this view actually promotes a more socially just practice than a liberal orientation to practice and policy. Specific attention is given to the conservative perspective on the provision of social welfare programs, the use of the income tax as a means to redistribute wealth, on affirmative action, on the death penalty, and on abortion rights.
The Ras GTPase-activating Protein (GAP) Is an SH3 Domain-binding Protein and Substrate for the Src-related Tyrosine Kinase, Hck

The Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP) is a target for protein tyrosine kinases of both the receptor and cytoplasmic classes and may serve to integrate tyrosine kinase and Ras signaling pathways. In this report, we provide evidence that GAP is an SH3 domain-binding protein and substrate for the Src-related tyrosine kinase Hck, which has been implicated in the regulation of myeloid cell growth, differentiation, and function. Wild-type (WT) or kinase-inactive (K269E) mutant Hck proteins were co-expressed with bovine GAP using the baculovirus/Sf-9 cell system. GAP was readily phosphorylated on tyrosine by WT but not K269E Hck. GAP was present in WT Hck immunoprecipitates from the co-infected cells, indicative of Hck·GAP complex formation. Unexpectedly, GAP also associated with the kinase-inactive mutant of Hck, suggesting that tyrosine autophosphorylation of Hck is not required for complex formation. The WT and K269E forms of Hck also associated with GAP mutants lacking either the C-terminal catalytic domain (ΔCAT) or the Src homology region (ΔSH), indicating that these GAP domains are dispensable for complex formation. Recombinant GST fusion proteins containing the Hck, Src, Fyn, or Lck SH3 domains associated with full-length GAP, ΔCAT, and ΔSH, all of which share an N-terminal proline-rich region resembling an SH3-binding motif (PPLPPPPPQLP). Deletion of the highly conserved YXY sequence from the Hck SH3 domain abolished binding. GAP-SH3 interaction was also inhibited by the proline-rich peptide GFPPLPPPPPQLPTLG, which corresponds to N-terminal amino acids 129-144 of bovine GAP. An N-terminal deletion mutant of GAP lacking this proline-rich region did not bind to the Hck SH3 domain. These data implicate the Hck SH3 domain in GAP interaction, and suggest a general function for the SH3 domains of Src family kinases in recognition of GAP via its proline-rich N-terminal domain.
An Analysis of Instance Selection for Neural Networks to Improve Training Speed

Training Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is relatively slow compared to many other machine learning algorithms. In this study, we focus on instance selection to improve training speed. We first evaluate the effectiveness of instance selection algorithms for k-nearest neighbor algorithms with ANN. We then analyze factors in accuracy -- distance from decision boundary, dense regions, and class distributions, and propose new instance selection algorithms. We discuss the trade off between accuracy and training speed, and introduce a measure for the trade off. Our empirical results on real data sets indicate that our proposed RDI is more effective with ANN.
Fluorescence Dynamics of Three UV-B Sunscreens

Polarity of the surrounding medium affects the excited states of UV-B sunscreens. Therefore understanding excited state processes in a mixed polarity model system similar to skin is essential. We report the excited state lifetimes, quantum yields, radiative and non-radiative rates of three sunscreens. Among the three UV-B sunscreens studied, octyl salicylate emits from a single excited state, while padimate O and octyl methoxy cinnamate show multiple states. The radiative rates of salicylate and cinnamate are approximately constant, while that of padimate O depends strongly on solvent. The non-radiative rates of all sunscreens vary with solvent polarity. Compared to salicylate and cinnamate, padimate O is complex to analyze because of its two emission peaks and one peak’s strong dependence on the dielectric constant. High absorbance, broad absorption peak with small fluorescence quantum yield, and low radiative rate make octyl methoxy cinnamate a superior UV-B sunscreen ingredient. The complexity in excited-state analysis shows that the lifetimes of the sunscreens are critical parameters, in addition to absorbance and quantum yield. Fluorescence lifetime substantiates the use of polystyrene nanospheres as a model host to study the photo-physical properties of sunscreen in a heterogeneous environment.
Evaluation of biodegradability of NOM after ozonation.

Abstract The major purpose of this study was to develop a simple procedure to describe the kinetics of biodegradation of natural organic matter (NOM) in drinking water and to use this procedure to evaluate changes in the concentration of biodegradable organic matter during ozonation and biotreatment. The proposed approach quantitatively describes the formation and removal of rapidly and slowly biodegradable fractions of NOM. This study showed that, depending on source water, ozonation of NOM may result in either minimal formation of biodegradable organic carbon (BDOC), or the formation of predominantly rapidly biodegradable NOM, or in the formation of both rapidly and slowly biodegradable NOM. The kinetic data obtained in this study suggest that while conventional biofiltration processes are capable of removing the rapidly biodegradable fraction, slowly biodegradable organic matter would remain in the filter effluent and may cause bacterial regrowth in the distribution system. An addition of a small amount of easily biodegradable carbon (“stimulated” biodegradation) to ozonated water appears to be effective for the removal of slowly biodegradable organic matter.
Crystalline Order in Superfluid He 3 Films

We predict an inhomogeneous phase of superfluid $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ films in which translational symmetry is spontaneously broken in the plane of the film. This phase is energetically favored over a range of film thicknesses, ${D}_{{c}_{2}}(T)lDl{D}_{{c}_{1}}(T)$, separating distinct homogeneous superfluid phases. The instability at the critical film thickness, ${D}_{{c}_{2}}\ensuremath{\approx}9\ensuremath{\xi}(T)$, is a single-mode instability generating striped phase order in the film. Numerical calculations of the order parameter and free energy indicate a second-order instability to a periodic lattice of degenerate $B$-like phases separated by domain walls at ${D}_{{c}_{1}}\ensuremath{\approx}13\ensuremath{\xi}(T)$.
Role for the L1-52/55K Protein in the Serotype Specificity of Adenovirus DNA Packaging

The packaging of adenovirus (Ad) DNA into virions is dependent upon cis-acting sequences and trans-acting proteins. We studied the involvement of Ad packaging proteins in the serotype specificity of packaging. Both Ad5 and Ad17 IVa2 and L4-22K proteins complemented the growth of Ad5 IVa2 and L4-22K mutant viruses, respectively. In contrast, the Ad5 L1-52/55K protein complemented an Ad5 L1-52/55K mutant virus, but the Ad17 L1-52/55K protein did not. The analysis of chimeric proteins demonstrated that the N-terminal half of the Ad5 L1-52/55K protein mediated this function. Finally, we demonstrate that the L4-33K and L4-22K proteins have distinct functions during infection.
Glucose control in korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes.

Despite the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes in Korean immigrants, little is known about glucose control in these individuals. This descriptive study examined factors influencing glucose control in Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes. Participants were 143 Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes who completed questionnaires, a finger stick blood test for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and anthropometric measures. The mean HbA1c level was 7.6 % (SD = 1.5; range = 5.6 to 12.5). Less than half of the participants (41.3%) met the American Diabetes Association's goal of less than 7%. After adjusting for demographic and health variables, family diet support, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), the duration of diabetes, the number of diabetic medications, and age significantly influenced glucose control. Findings support the positive role of family involvement in diabetes management. Patients with long-standing diabetes, higher WHR, and more diabetic medications deserve special attention because they tend to have h...
VBAC: Safety for the Patient and the Nurse

During the 1970s and 1980s, some women fought for the opportunity to deliver vaginally after a cesarean birth (VBAC). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists initially supported VBAC for many low-risk women. Interventions increased and complications of VBAC were reported, however, and recommendations changed. VBAC should be performed in hospitals equipped to care for women at high risk. Nurses caring for patients undergoing VBAC should be able to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of uterine rupture, including the most common symptom, which is a nonreassuring fetal monitor tracing. Nurses also should be aware of the necessity for 24-hour blood banking, electronic fetal monitoring, on-site anesthesia coverage, and continuous presence of a surgeon.
The distribution of mast cells in bovine coronary arteries and their participation in the metabolism of mural glycosaminoglycans

Abstract The distribution of mast cells (MCs) and their participation in mural glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) metabolism was investigated in the left coronary arteries of 40 5–10 year old Holstein-Friesian cows. Usually MCs were present in the outer media and adventitia, but they also occurred in areas where local circumstances required their support. The distribution of MC was related to local conditions, with regard to the utilization of the contents of their granules. Large and small MCs were present; some of them stained darker with toluidine blue than others. MCs liberated their contents by expelling whole granules or by granulolysis. Granular release was associated with the metabolism of hyaluronic acid and granulolysis with heparan sulphates. Activity of mural MCs and GAGs was influenced by hormones regulating the sexual cycle. The curves obtained from MCs counts and GAGs levels at different stages of the sexual cycle indicate that MC were taking part in the GAG metabolism. MC also participated in the production of hyaluronic acid and heparan sulphates. Any disorder of the metabolism of mural GAG characterized by an increase of heparan sulphates promoted under certain circumstances the development of histochemically identifiable, primary biochemical lesions of the arterial mesenchyme.
Muscimol microinfused into the nigrotegmental target area blocks selected components of behavior elicited by amphetamine or cocaine

We examined whether behaviors elicited by systemic administration of the stimulants amphetamine and cocaine involve the relay of outflow from basal ganglia to the target region of the GABAergic nigrotegmental pathway (nigrotegmental target area: NTT), in the region of the pedunculopontine nucleus. Bilateral microinfusions of the GABAA agonist muscimol (25 ng in each side) were administered into the NTT in stimulant-treated rats. Amphetamine- and cocaine-induced stereotyped sniffing and repetitive head movements were totally abolished by muscimol infusions. In contrast, stimulant-induced locomotion and snout contact fixation were spared or enhanced. These observations, which extend those of Childs and Gale (1983b) with apomorphine-induced gnawing, further implicate the GABAergic nigrotegmental pathway in the mediation of basal ganglia-related motor dysfunction. On the other hand, cocaine- and amphetamine-induced locomotion and snout contact fixation do not appear to depend upon mediation through GABA-receptive neurons in the NTT. Thus, the NTT may be selective for the processing of outflow from the basal ganglia.
Evaluation of the gas transfer characteristics of porous copolyurethane oxygenator membranes.

Porous copolyurethane membranes were prepared by solvent casting thin polymer films onto fibrous substrates. Pore size, water filtration rates, and gas transmission rates were measured to determine the influence of substrate, polymer type, and coating thickness on the membrane properties in the dry and wet state. Cellulosic substrates were not as satisfactory as were polyethylene, polyester, or nylon substrates. Porous membranes formed on these latter substrates had gas transfer rates similar to silicone rubber membranes. Although O2 transfer was similar to Gore-Tex® and Celgard®, CO2 transfer was less, apparently due to fewer pores in the copolyurethane membranes and possible wetting of the pores by water.
Identity verification through keyboard characteristics

Most personal identity mechanisms in use today are artificial. They require specific actions on the part of the user, many of which are not “friendly”. Ideally, a typist should be able to approach a computer terminal, begin typing, and be identified from keystroke characteristics. Individuals exhibit characteristic cognitive properties when interacting with the computer through a keyboard. By examining the properties of keying patterns, statistics can be compiled that uniquely describe the user. Initially, a reference profile is built to serve as a basis of comparison for future typing samples. The profile consists of the average time interval between keystrokes (mean keystroke latency) as well as a collection of the average times required to strike any two successive keys on the keyboard. Typing samples are scored against the reference profile and a score is calculated assessing the confidence that the same individual typed both the sample and the reference profile. This mechanism has the capability of providing identity surveillance throughout the entire time at the keyboard.
For love and money: Organizations’ creative responses to multiple environmental logics

The recent “inhabited institutions” research stream in organizational theory reinvigorates new institutionalism by arguing that organizations are not merely the instantiation of environmental, institutional logics “out there,” where organizational actors seamlessly enact preconscious scripts, but are places where people and groups make sense of, and interpret, institutional vocabularies of motive. This article advances the inhabited institutions approach through an inductive case study of a transitional housing organization called Parents Community. This organization, like other supportive direct service organizations, exists in an external environment relying increasingly on federal funding. Most scholars studying this sector argue that as federal monies expand to pay for these organizations’ services, non-profit organizations will be forced to become ever more bureaucratic and rationalized. However, I find that three key service departments at Parents Community respond in multiple ways to this external environment, depending on each department members’ creative uses of institutional logics and local meanings, which emerge from their professional commitments, personal interests, and interactional, on-the-ground decision making. By looking carefully at these three departments’ variable responses to the external environment, we have a better map for seeing how human agency is integrated into organizational dynamics for this and other organizations.
Notes: Estimating the Energy Density of Daphnid Prey for Use with Rainbow Trout Bioenergetics Models

Abstract Energy densities and percent dry matter of zooplankton were estimated from both field collections and from stomach contents of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Dry-mass energy densities were similar for zooplankton collected from the field and from fish stomachs, averaging 22.7 kJ/g. The percent dry matter of zooplankton from fish stomachs was approximately twice that of zooplankton from field collections, although species composition was similar. Energy density of wet zooplankton was consequently twice as high in fish stomachs as it was in field collections. These results indicate that the wet-mass energy density of zooplankton prey used in fish bioenergetics models should be increased over values that have been reported in the literature.
Influence of salinity on copper and azide toxicity to larval topsmelt Atherinops affinis (Ayres)

Performance of a 7-d growth and survival toxicity test protocol using larval topsmelt, Atherinops affinis (Ayres), was evaluated for copper chloride and sodium azide at representative estuarine salinities. Results showed that topsmelt are amenable to toxicity testing at estuarine salinities ranging from 5 to 34‰ since control survival was 100% in all toxicity tests. Sensitivity to both toxicants increased at lower salinities, with the LC50s for copper ranging from 205 μg/L at 34‰ to 44 μg/L at 10‰, and those for sodium azide ranging from 54 mg/L at 34‰ to 7 mg/L at 5‰. Larval tissue osmolality decreased with increasing copper concentration relative to control fish. Copper uptake was not affected by changes in salinity. This suggests that increased sensitivity to copper was due, in part, to the increasing physiological challenge of osmoregulation. It is also possible that cupric ion concentration increased at lower salinities, resulting in reduced larval survival. It is hypothesized that increased sensitivity to azide at lower salinity was due to the interaction between azide toxicity and increasing osmotic challenge. A second experiment with azide showed that larval acclimation time did not affect the interaction between salinity and azide toxicity.
Fractional Excretion of Sodium as a Guide to Volume Depletion During Recovery From Acute Renal Failure

Fractional excretion of filtered sodium (FENa) is typically elevated (>3%) in acute tubular necrosis and decreased (
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the semisynthetic epipodophyllotoxins teniposide and etoposide using electrochemical detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay was developed for the quantitation of two structurally similar and highly active anticancer drugs, etoposide (I) and teniposide (II), and their potential metabolites (hydroxy acid, picrolactone, and aglycone). The assay utilizes electrochemical detection, which imparts specificity and sensitivity sufficient to detect greater than or equal to 20 ng/mL in plasma, urine, and CSF. The mean assay coefficients of variation were 5.1 and 8.1% for teniposide (10 micrograms/mL) and etoposide (5 micrograms/mL), respectively. The extraction efficiencies were 86% for etoposide, 70% for its hydroxy acid metabolite, 66% for teniposide, and 54% for the hydroxy acid of teniposide. The correlation coefficient of the multilevel standard curve was greater than or equal to 0.995 over the concentration range of 0.05-50 micrograms/mL for the parent drugs and metabolites extracted from plasma. This method has been used to determine the concentrations of the parent drugs and their metabolites in the plasma, urine, and CSF of patients with cancer.
The relationship between stock prices and exchange rates: Evidence from Canada

This paper examines the relationship between stock prices and exchange rates in Canada. Although there have been many empirical studies, there is neither a theoretical nor an empirical consensus on the relationship between the two variables. This paper uses the monthly Toronto Stock Exchange 300 Index and the monthly bilateral exchange rates of the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar for the period from 1973:1 to 1996:12. It is found that two financial variables are cointegrated by the EngleGranger two-step cointegration test. The results show that stock prices do not have great influence on exchange rates either in the long run or in the short run. However, domestic currency devaluation has a significant positive effect on stock prices in the long run but has an insignificant negative effect on stock prices in the short run. In other words, depreciation of the Canadian dollar increases the competitiveness of export markets, thus increases share prices of firms in the long run. Therefore, it can be said that there is one-way interaction from exchange rates to stock prices in the long run but insignificant interaction between exchange rates and stock prices in the short run in the case of Canada.
Hemorrhagic Events Lead to an Increase in International Normalized Ratio in Patients on Warfarin

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to support a theory that in a cohort of patients on warfarin with bleeding and an elevated international normalized ratio (INR), the INR elevation was related...
The survey of living conditions in the Arctic (SLiCA): A comparative sustainable livelihoods assessment

The Arctic is a region of the world experiencing extremely rapid climatic and social change. Indigenous communities have faced similar challenges for millennia and have historically demonstrated remarkable resilience to socioecological perturbations. In contemporary contexts, however, it appears that the pace and extent of change is overwhelming the adaptive capacities of many indigenous communities. Scholars recently completed a survey of living conditions spanning the circumpolar Arctic to quantitatively document the impacts of social and ecological stress across regions. The database they created is called the Survey of Living Conditions in the Arctic or SLiCA. This article explores the utility of using this dataset to compare livelihood systems across three sub-regions of Alaska and four sub-regions within the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of the Russian Federation. The results point out that livelihood systems in Chukotka have a substantially lower level of sustainability than in Northwest Alaska due to the high prevalence of vulnerable households.
Preventing overfitting in GP with canary functions

Overfitting is a fundamental problem of most machine learning techniques, including genetic programming (GP). Canary functions have been introduced in the literature as a concept for preventing overfitting by automatically recognizing when it starts to occur. This paper presents a simple scheme for implementing canary functions using cross-validation. The effectiveness of this technique is demonstrated by applying it to the numeric regression problem. A list of conditions and criteria for applying this technique to other problem domains is also identified. Other strategies for dealing with overfitting in GP are discussed.
Regulation of Galanin and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene Expression in the Hypothalamus and Basal Forebrain of the Rat

Abstract Galanin is a cotransmitter in GnRH neurons and is thought to play a role in the control of gonadotropin secretion. The aim of our research has been to learn how galanin mRNA is regulated in GnRH neurons with the goal of understanding galanin's physiological significance. We have used double-label in situ hybridization and computerized image analysis to identify GnRH neurons coexpressing galanin mRNA and to estimate cellular levels of galanin message in these cells under different physiological conditions in the rat. In adult females, levels of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons increase two- to fourfold with the onset of the proestrous and steroid-induced LH surges. Pharmacological blockade of synaptic transmission with either a general anesthetic (pentobarbital) or an α-adrenergic receptor antagonist (phenoxybenzamine) inhibits both the steroid-induced LH surge and the associated induction of galanin expression in GnRH neurons. Compared with the day of diestrus of the estrous cycle, during lactation cellular levels of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons are profoundly reduced. In contrast to galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons, we could adduce no evidence for changes in cellular levels of GnRH mRNA under any physiological conditions or with any pharmacological manipulations. We conclude that alterations in galanin gene expression play a fundamental role in governing the functional activity of GnRH neurons, possibly by acting presynaptically to shape GnRH pulses, thereby determining the biological efficacy of GnRH action at its target cells in the pituitary.
Nanoparticle emissions on Minnesota highways

The objective of this project was to characterize on-road aerosol on highways surrounding the Minneapolis area. Data were collected under varying on-road traffic conditions and in residential areas to determine the impact of highway traffic on air quality. The study was focused on determining on-road nanoparticle concentrations, and estimating fuel-specific and particle emissions km−1. On-road aerosol number concentrations ranged from 104 to 106 particles cm−3. The highest nanoparticle concentrations were associated with high-speed traffic. At high vehicular speeds engine load, exhaust temperature, and exhaust flow all increase resulting in higher emissions. Less variation was observed in particle volume, a surrogate measure of particle mass. Most of the particles added by the on-road fleet were below 50 nm in diameter. Particles in this size range may dominate particle number, but contribute little to particle volume or mass. Furthermore, particle number is strongly influenced by nucleation and coagulation, which have little or no effect on particle volume. Measurements made in heavy traffic, speeds<32 km h−1, produced lower number concentrations and larger particles. Number concentrations measured in residential areas, 10–20 m from the highway, were considerably lower than on-road concentrations, but the size distributions were similar to on-road aerosol with high concentrations of very small (<20 nm) particles. Much lower number concentrations and larger particles were observed in residential areas located 500–700 m from the highway. Estimated emissions of total particle number larger than 3 nm ranged from 1.9 to 9.9×1014 particles km−1 and 2.2–11×1015 particles (kg fuel)−1 for a gasoline-dominated vehicle fleet.
Letter to the Editor of Biometrics

Chatterjee et al. (2006) presented a detailed and innovative strategy for combining case-control and family history data to obtain relative and cumulative risks for genotypes measured only in the case and control probands. However, the authors indicate that their model adjusts effectively for ascertainment bias. This is not an appropriate claim, since their likelihood is not correctly specified for this purpose. The essential relevant features of their model for this issue
Bureaucratic Competence and Success in Dealing with Public Bureaucracies

Clients of public service bureaucracies differ in their degree of bureaucratic competence–all those abilities related to bureaucratic interactions (e.g., ability to complete forms). Literature on service bureaucracies is reviewed, focussing on clients' bureaucratic competence, and on the use of normal cases (worker sterotypes)–a mechanism which may ease the bureaucrat's day. The possible value of bureaucratic competence for the client who is negatively typed is suggested. Data collected in a welfare office in New York support the hypothesis that clients' bureaucratic competence has some influence on their success. It is provocative to find in this instance that welfare, rather than aiding victims of particularism, somewhat favors those high in bureaucratic competence. These data also revealed a large degree of discretion in eligibility determinations. Widespread lower-level discretion and the importance of bureaucratic competence may be understood in terms of “interest-group liberalism” or the Piven and Cloward explanation of the elasticity of the welfare rolls.
Collision and Coagulation in the Infinite-Stokes-Number Regime

This paper presents a theoretical description of collision and coagulation in the infinite-Stokes-number limit where particle motions are only weakly correlated with the fluid. A methodology for predicting the collision frequency and the particle mean energy is developed based on the assumption of a Maxwellian velocity distribution. The prediction of particle energies is crucial to the theory because it is shown that coagulation inherently dissipates a fraction of the particle kinetic energy; thus, each subsequent generation of particles has progressively lower energies. Prediction of the increasingly nonequilibrium system requires an energy balance for each particle category in addition to the standard population equation. The results of the theory compare reasonably well with direct numerical simulations, although it is pointed out that minor discrepancies do arise with coagulation due to the neglect of particle mixing in the theory. A future study will address this limitation.
Performance of Geopier Reinforced Soil Foundations During Simulated Seismic Tests on I-15 Bridge Bents:

Results are presented from full-scale tests on geopier foundations subjected to simulated seismic activity. The foundations were subjected to large cyclic lateral and uplift-compression loads as well as significant overturning moments produced by the horizontal forces. For the conditions of the tests, including large loads, poor subsurface soils, and no embedment of the foundations, the magnitudes of the maximum displacements and rotations were relatively small. Furthermore, the permanent displacements at the end of the tests were small. Overall the results indicate that geopier foundations are ductile and can sustain large displacements—such as those generated by earthquakes—without significant damage and can thereby maintain serviceability after an earthquake.
Structural Diversity within the Mononuclear and Binuclear Active Sites of N-Acetyl-d-glucosamine-6-phosphate Deacetylase.

NagA catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-6-phosphate to D-glucosamine-6-phosphate and acetate. X-ray crystal structures of NagA from Escherichia coli were determined to establish the number and ligation scheme for the binding of zinc to the active site and to elucidate the molecular interactions between the protein and substrate. The three-dimensional structures of the apo-NagA, Zn-NagA, and the D273N mutant enzyme in the presence of a tight-binding N-methylhydroxyphosphinyl-D-glucosamine-6-phosphate inhibitor were determined. The structure of the Zn-NagA confirms that this enzyme binds a single divalent cation at the beta-position in the active site via ligation to Glu-131, His-195, and His-216. A water molecule completes the ligation shell, which is also in position to be hydrogen bonded to Asp-273. In the structure of NagA bound to the tight binding inhibitor that mimics the tetrahedral intermediate, the methyl phosphonate moiety has displaced the hydrolytic water molecule and is directly coordinated to the zinc within the active site. The side chain of Asp-273 is positioned to activate the hydrolytic water molecule via general base catalysis and to deliver this proton to the amino group upon cleavage of the amide bond of the substrate. His-143 is positioned to help polarize the carbonyl group of the substrate inmore » conjunction with Lewis acid catalysis by the bound zinc. The inhibitor is bound in the {alpha}-configuration at the anomeric carbon through a hydrogen bonding interaction of the hydroxyl group at C-1 with the side chain of His-251. The phosphate group of the inhibitor attached to the hydroxyl at C-6 is ion paired with Arg-227 from the adjacent subunit. NagA from Thermotoga maritima was shown to require a single divalent cation for full catalytic activity.« less
IMMUNOLOGIC RELATIONSHIP OF DONOVANIA GRANULOMATIS TO GRANULOMA INGUINALE

1. A washed bacterial suspension of Donovan microorganisms cultivated in the yolk of chick embryos was used as an antigen in intracutaneous tests in 6 cases of granuloma inguinale in the active stage of the disease. These injections were responded to by an extensive erythematous and edematous reaction that reached its height in 24 hours and disappeared within 48 hours later. Four control cases without granuloma inguinale did not react to the injection to any greater extent than would be expected from the slight trauma incident to them. The skin of the reacting patients responded in a similar manner but to a lesser extent to a filtrate of infected yolk. Simultaneous control injections of filtered normal yolk demonstrated that sensitivity to normal yolk was not responsible for the reactions. 2. A mucoid material present in infected yolk, soluble in N/100 NaOH, and precipitable by N/100 HCl was recovered and purified by repeated acid precipitation, extraction with ether, washing in distilled water, and dissolution in N/100 NaOH. We regard this material to be of capsular origin. 3. The presumptive capsular material injected intradermally elicited a somewhat different and milder reaction in patients with active granuloma inguinale, but we regard it as specific. 4. The "capsularrdquo; material in suitable dilution elicited distinct precipitation reactions when mixed with the serum from 18 of 19 cases of active granuloma inguinale. Serum from 1 active case showed no precipitation. Sixty-four serums, including 6 from lymphopathia venereum patients and 18 from Wassermann- or Kahn-positive patients, and 1 from an early chancroid failed to precipitate. Two serums from a total of 66 used as controls showed a precipitate in the presence of the capsular material. These patients gave no history or evidence of granuloma inguinale. 5. The "capsular" material fixed complement in the presence of serum from patients with granuloma inguinale. Serum from 12 of 15 cases of granuloma inguinale demonstrated complement fixation. Three failed to fix complement. Of 19 control serums 18 failed to fix complement in the presence of the capsular material and 1 fixed only a very slight amount of complement. None of these serums nor the capsular material itself was anticomplementary. 6. The high proportion of precipitation and complement fixation reactions obtained from patients with active granuloma inguinale is indicative of a specific immunological relationship of the Donovan microorganism cultivated in embryonic yolk to the disease, granuloma inguinale. 7. We suggest that one or all of these methods might be so standardized as to be of distinct diagnostic value.
Ultrasonic detection of kissing bonds at adhesive interfaces

Intimate mechanical contact between the adhesive and adherend counterparts can easily occur without an actual bond. Such apparently flawless, but severely defective 'kissing' bonds are especially dangerous because they often remain hidden from most types of conventional ultrasonic inspection. A special high-frequency, high-inspection angle ultrasonic technique is suggested to improve the detectability of such kissing bonds. It is shown to be essential to interrogate the adhesive-adherend interface from the adherend side without sending the ultrasound through the inherently inhomogeneous and highly attenuating adhesive layer.
A heterogeneous ouabain-ATPase interaction in mouse brain

Abstract Unlike the ATPase in mouse kidney, which shows a simple pattern of ouabain interaction, the ATPase in mouse brain displays a heterogeneous interaction with the drug. Such heterogeniety is evident in the inhibition of NaKATPase by ouabain, in the binding of ouabain to brain tissue, and in the inhibition of digitoxin binding to brain by ouabain. The heterogeneous interaction can apparently be resolved into two components displaying K i (or K d ) of 2×10 −7 M and 1×10 −4 M.The K i (or K d ) in kidney was approximately 10 −4 M. Possible mechanisms for the heterogeniety of the ouabain interaction with brain are discussed.