cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dimerization Is Essential for DNA Binding and Repression by the ArsR Metalloregulatory Protein of Escherichia coli

Arsenical resistance (ars) operons produce resistance to trivalent and pentavalent salts of the metalloids arsenic and antimony in cells of Escherichia coli. The first gene in the operon, arsR, was previously shown to encode a homodimeric trans-acting metalloregulatory repressor protein. Dimerization of ArsR was investigated using the yeast two-hybrid system in which the ArsR protein was fused to theSaccharomyces cerevisiae GAL4 DNA-binding domain and GAL4 activation domain to produce chimeric proteins. Transcriptional activation of lacZ reporter indicated that dimerization of the ArsR is stable in yeast. The results indicated that residues 1–8 and 90–117 are not required for ArsR dimerization. The genes for a series of truncated ArsR proteins containing six histidine tags were constructed and the proteins purified. The mass of each recombinant protein, as determined by size exclusion chromatography, was consistent with the results from two-hybrid analysis. The results of β-galactosidase assays in vivo and gel mobility shift assays in vitro showed that dimers retained the ability to bind to the ars promoter and to respond to inducer, whereas monomeric ArsRs did neither. These results suggest that a core sequence of about 80 residues has all of the information necessary for dimerization, repression, and metal recognition.
Diffusion features of white matter in tuberous sclerosis with tractography

Normal-appearing white matter has been shown via diffusion tensor imaging to be affected in tuberous sclerosis complex. Under the hypothesis that some systems might be differentially affected, including the visual pathways and systems of social cognition, diffusion properties of various regions of white matter were compared. For 10 patients and 6 age-matched control subjects, 3 T magnetic resonance imaging was assessed using diffusion tensor imaging obtained in 35 directions. Three-dimensional volumes corresponding to the geniculocalcarine tracts were extracted via tractography, and two-dimensional regions of interest were used to sample other regions. Regression analysis indicated lower fractional anisotropy in the splenium of corpus callosum and geniculocalcarine tracts in tuberous sclerosis complex group, as well as lower axial diffusivity in the internal capsule, superior temporal gyrus, and geniculocalcarine tracts. Mean and radial diffusivity of the splenium of corpus callosum were higher in the tuberous sclerosis complex group. The differences in diffusion properties of white matter between tuberous sclerosis complex patients and control subjects suggest disorganized and structurally compromised axons with poor myelination. The visual and social cognition systems appear to be differentially involved, which might in part explain the behavioral and cognitive characteristics of the tuberous sclerosis complex population.
Experimental Quantification of Electrostatics in X–H···π Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are ubiquitous in chemistry and biology. The physical forces that govern hydrogen-bonding interactions have been heavily debated, with much of the discussion focused on the relative contributions of electrostatic vs quantum mechanical effects. In principle, the vibrational Stark effect, the response of a vibrational mode to electric field, can provide an experimental method for parsing such interactions into their electrostatic and nonelectrostatic components. In a previous study we showed that, in the case of relatively weak O–H···π hydrogen bonds, the O–H bond displays a linear response to an electric field, and we exploited this response to demonstrate that the interactions are dominated by electrostatics (Saggu, M.; Levinson, N. M.; Boxer, S. G. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2011, 133, 17414–17419). Here we extend this work to other X–H···π interactions. We find that the response of the X–H vibrational probe to electric field appears to become increasingly nonlinear in the order O–H < N–H < S–H. The...
Mapping Cyanobacterial Blooms in the Great Lakes Using MODIS

Toxin-producing Cyanobacteria have been documented in Lake Erie and Ontario in the last several years. We developed algorithms to discriminate potentially toxic cyanobacterial blooms from other harmless phytoplankton blooms and to extract relative phycocyanin abundances from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) satellite data. Lee's quasi-analytical algorithm was used to calculate total absorption and backscatter from the 250 m, 500 m and 1 km bands of MODIS scenes. A non-negative least square algorithm was then utilized to discern relative concentrations of Chlorophyta (green algae), phycocyanin-rich Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and colored dissolved organic matter and suspended sediments combined in lake waters using published absorption spectra for these components. MODIS-derived cyanobacterial concentrations and/or bloom distributions from 10 scenes acquired in the summers of 2004 and 2005 were successfully verified against contemporaneous calibrated measurements of pigments that were acquired from measurements made using continuous fluorimetric measurements of surface water (1 m depth) from six cruises, and three additional cyanobacterial blooms reported in the scientific literature between 2002 and 2006. These results demonstrate that this methodology could be used to develop a cost-effective practical screening method for rapid detection and warning of potentially toxic cyanobacterial blooms in the lower Great Lakes.
Molecule of the month: miRNA and proteins DARPP-32, DRD1, SLC6A3, and CK2.

The dopamine receptor subtype in brain is DRD1. This receptor modulates several cellular functions and its expression has been studied in detail concerning extracellular signaling. A publication [1] indicates that there is also miRNA regulation (suppression) of DRD1 transcription and translation due to miR-142-3p interaction with the DRD1 3'-untranslated region (1,277 bp) of the DRD1 mRNA. This affects dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (DARPP-32) expression as well, consequently [1]. DARPP-32 is also known as Protein phosphatase 1, regulatory (inhibitor) subunit 1B (PPP1R1B). This protein as well as DRD1 is expressed in medium spiny neurons and DARPP-32 is crucial in a number of pathways relating to drug abuse and neuropsychiatric disease. Discovery of DARPP-32 lead to the award of the Nobel Prize to Dr. P. Greengard (Rockefeller University, NY, NY) [3]. Dopamine participates in reward and function in the brain and dopamine pathway dysfunction is involved in drug abuse (e.g. cocaine, amphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, LSD, PCP, ethanol morphine, alcoholism, and smoking), gambling, novelty seeking, and additional neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Dopamine transporter (SLC6A3) is a participant as well. Signaling pathways interconnect DARPP-32 and dopamine pathways. The kinase, CK2 is also implicated among these pathways [3–5]. It is left as a puzzle for the interested reader to identify the various genes and their functions in the (Figure 1 & Figure 2) [2, 6, 7]. Figure 1 Network of input proteins (DARPP-32, Dopamine receptor DRD1, Dopamine transporter SLC6A3, and casein kinase 2 CK2) with input neighbors of these proteins. In this figure, line-colors and various interactions with other genes are red Down-regulation, green ... Figure 2 Network of input proteins (DARPP-32, Dopamine receptor DRD1, Dopamine transporter SLC6A3, and casein kinase 2 CK2) and additional neighbors of these proteins. miRNA affects DRD1 expression and probably miRNAs affect several additional proteins in the ... Thus, the continued study of DARPP-32 and related pathways may lead to cures for the many pathologies stemming from diseases as mentioned above.
Background characteristics and women's dual-role attitudes

This study examines the relationship between the attitudes toward the employment of married women held by 583 currently married Los Angeles County women between the ages of 18 and 49 and their personal backgrounds in terms of certain basic demographic characteristics. The findings illustrate that the respondents' attitudes significantly varied as a result of their personal backgrounds (e.g., level of education, ethnicity, marriage duration, income, work status, religion, age, and number of children raised). However, the data do not support the belief of Mason and Bumpass that women's dual-role attitudes are a “group phenomenon” determined by group norms or collectively held perceptions arising from the women's particular social niches; the demographic characteristics included in the study were able to explain only 27% of the observed variation in dual-role attitudes.
The Filter Apparatus of Larval Pelodytes punctatus (Amphibia: Anura)

Parts of the larval filter apparatus (ventral velum, branchial food traps, filter plates) were studied, using scanning electron microscopy. The primary species studied was Pelodytes punctatus, but Alytes obstetricans, Pelobates cultripes, Scaphiopus holbrooki, Telmatobius culeus, Hyla cinerea and Rana sphenocephala were also examined. Other data were taken from literature. Previous authors, in similar studies, maintained that variations in larval filter apparatus morphology supported the anuran suborders Archeo- and Neobatrachia. The present study concludes that the larval filter apparatus cannot be used to support any subordinal arrangement, but affirms its potential value at lower systematic levels. Pelobatoids tend to have modified filter apparatuses. Four types are recognizeable: 1) Pelodytes; 2) Scaphiopus; 3) Megophrys; 4)Pelobates, Leptobrachium, Oreolalax. Although other beaked Asian genera remain unstudied, these groups are enough to indicate that current pelobatoid systematics is erroneous. Pelodytes has the most primitive pelobatoid filter apparatus. This, the moderately derived larval chondrocranium and the peculiar mixture of certain primitive and derived character states in the adult frog (none shared with other pelobatoids), indicate a long independent phylogeny for Pelodytes. This in turn, supports recognition of a separate monogeneric family Pelodytidae.
Potent antitumor effects of an antitumor endothelial cell immunotoxin in a murine vascular targeting model

Immunotoxins and other antibody-based therapeutic reagents have proved effective against lymphomas and leukemias, but results with carcinomas and other solid tumors have thus far been less impressive. A major reason for this difference is that macromolecules penetrate poorly and unevenly into solid tumors. A solution to this problem would be to attack the endothelial cells of the tumor vascular bed rather than the tumor cells themselves. We have developed a murine model of this vascular targeting approach where transfection of the tumor cells with a cytokine gene causes them to induce the expression of an experimental marker (MHC Class II) on tumor endothelium. In this report we show that an anti-Class II-deglycosylated Ricin A-chain immunotoxin kills IFN-γ-activated endothelial cells in culture and, when injected into tumor-bearing Balb/c nude mice, causes complete thrombosis of the tumor vasculature, widespread infarction, and dramatic regressions of large solid tumors. These findings suggest that immunoconjugates prepared with recently described antibodies against human tumor endothelium could provide a broadbased therapy for variety of solid cancers in humans.
Synthesis and Characterization of (Mono)-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Lutetium Complexes: Formation of Bipyridyl-Stabilized Alkyls, Anilides, and Terminal Acetylides

The alkyl complex [Lu(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2] reacts with pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*H), giving [Cp*Lu(CH2SiMe3)2(THF)] (1). Complex 1 reacts with 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME), affording [Cp*Lu(CH2SiMe3...
Tetrasomic Linkage Mapping of RFLP, PCR, and Isozyme Loci in Lotus corniculatus L.

Lotus corniculatus L. is a tetraploid (2n = 4x = 24) forage legume which has had limited inheritance studies. The purpose of this research was to develop a genetic map and characterize the genome of L. corniculatus using molecular markers. A linkage map was constructed for L. corniculatus using information from 217 markers mapped as single-dose restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), sequence tagged site (STS), and isozyme markers and five duplex RFLP markers. Formulas for calculating maximum likelihood estimates of recombination involving codominantly scored duplex loci in tetrasomic species from direct count data are made available. Six composite linkage groups were constructed from the combined data of four homologous linkage groups anchored by shared RFLP loci. Three of the composite groups (Groups 2, 3, and 4) were well defined, two groups (Groups 5 and 6) were poorly discriminated because of apparent marker duplication found between them, and one group (Group 1) was poorly defined because of an apparently high degree of differentiation between its homologous members. This first genetic map for L. corniculatus spans 572.1 centimorgans (eM) and serves to provide a foundation for the genetic analysis of complex traits and marker-aided selection.
Monoclonal antibodies for the analysis and purification of isopentenyladenine cytokinins

Abstract A series of monoclonal antibodies (McAb) have been generated which show a high affinity for the cytokinin, isopentenyladenosine (2iPA). The McAb show different specificities to a range of cytokinins in a radioimmunoassay and are suitable for the analysis of isopentenyladenine (2iP) and related compounds in plant extracts. One McAb, MAC 160, has a high cross-reactivity with several cytokinins and is a good candidate for use in group separation or the analysis of a number of cytokinins simultaneously after separation. When coupled to Sepharose 4B affinity support, the McAb can also be used as immunoaffinity matrices to purify and resolve cytokinins from plant extracts. The McAb have been used to demonstrate the presence of concentrations of 2iP in tissues of the moss, Physcomitrella patens which exceed those in its culture medium.
Stand structure influences nekton community composition and provides protection from natural disturbance in Micronesian mangroves

Structurally complex mangrove roots are thought to provide foraging habitat, predation refugia, and typhoon protection for resident fish, shrimp, and crabs. The spatially compact nature of Micronesian mangroves results in model ecosystems to test these ideas. Tidal creek nekton assemblages were compared among mangrove forests impacted by Typhoon Sudal and differing in stand structure. Structurally complex Rhizophora spp. stands were predicted to support higher densities and different communities of nekton and to provide greater protection from typhoons compared to less complex Sonneratia alba/Bruguiera gymnorrhiza stands. Lift net data revealed that structural complexity did not support greater nekton densities, but did support significantly different nekton assemblages. The cardinalfish Apogon ceramensis and goby Oxyurichthys lonchotus had significantly higher densities in S. alba/B. gymnorrhiza mangrove creeks, whereas the silverside Atherinomorus lacunosus and diogenid crabs had significantly higher densities in Rhizophora spp. creeks. Similar nekton densities 17 and 4 months after the typhoon in Rhizophora spp. creeks provided indirect evidence that structural complexity increased protection for resident nekton from disturbances. Findings indicate that studies of structural complexity and nekton densities may be better served when individual species are compared and that diverse mangrove tree assemblages will support diverse nekton assemblages that may be more resilient to disturbance.
Adenine nucleotide metabolism during cardiac hypertrophy and ischemia in rats

Abstract The effects of ischemia on the adenine nucleotides, and the production of adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine were studied in 200 rat hearts made hypertrophic by swimming exercise, by thyroxine treatment, or by operative constriction of the abdominal dominal aorta. The results were the same irrespective of the method used for cardiac hypertrophy. In the normal heart ischemia produced a decrease in ATP and an increase in ADP, AMP, adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine. In the hypertrophied heart changes in ATP, AMP, adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine were in the same direction as in the normal heart but significantly greater. ADP first increased and then fell to very low levels in the hypertrophied heart. With prolonged ischemia (5 to 20 min) adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine appeared in the 0.9% NaCl bathing solution of the hypertrophied hearts. When the amounts of these compounds in the medium were added to the myocardial tissue levels, the sum tended to remain constant. During the development of cardiac hypertrophy, the ATP levels, and to a lesser extent the total adenine nucleotide pool rose from the first to the third day after aortic constriction but declined from the fourth to the tenth day. These data suggest that either the “de novo” synthesis and utilization of the “salvage” pathway for the adenine nucleotides is reduced or the degradative activities dominate these synthetic pathways during cardiac hypertrophy.
First Steps for Mommy and Me: A Pilot Intervention to Improve Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors of Postpartum Mothers and Their Infants

To assess the feasibility of a pediatric primary care based intervention to promote healthful behaviors among 0–6 month old infants and their mothers. We enrolled two intervention practices (60 mother-infant pairs) and one usual care control practice (24 pairs) in a non-randomized controlled trial. We completed visits and interviews with 80 (95%) pairs at birth and 6 months. The intervention included (1) brief focused negotiation by pediatricians, (2) motivational counseling by a health educator, and (3) group parenting workshops. We evaluated the intervention effects on infant feeding, sleep duration, TV viewing, and mothers’ responsiveness to satiety cues. Maternal behavioral targets included postpartum diet, physical activity, TV and sleep. At 6 months, fewer intervention than control infants had been introduced to solid foods (57% vs. 82%; P = 0.04), and intervention infants viewed less TV (mean 1.2 vs. 1.5 h/d; P = 0.07). Compared to control infants, intervention infants had larger increases in their nocturnal sleep duration from baseline to follow up (mean increase 1.9 vs. 1.3 h/d; P = 0.05); larger reductions in settling time (mean reduction −0.70 vs. −0.10 h/d; P = 0.02); and larger reductions in hours/day of nighttime wakefulness (mean reduction −2.9 vs. −1.5 h/d; P = 0.08). There were no differences in breastfeeding, response to satiety cues, or maternal health behaviors. A program of brief focused negotiation by pediatricians, individual coaching by health educators using motivational interviewing, and group parenting workshops tended to improve infant feeding, sleep and media exposure, but had less impact on mothers’ own health-related behaviors.
Neonatal posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus from prematurity: pathophysiology and current treatment concepts: A review

Object Preterm infants are at risk for perinatal complications, including germinal matrix–intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and subsequent posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). This review summarizes the current understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, management, and outcomes of IVH and PHH in preterm infants. Methods The MEDLINE database was systematically searched using terms related to IVH, PHH, and relevant neurosurgical procedures to identify publications in the English medical literature. To complement information from the systematic search, pertinent articles were selected from the references of articles identified in the initial search. Results This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology and pathophysiology of IVH and PHH, primarily using evidence-based studies. Advances in obstetrics and neonatology over the past few decades have contributed to a marked improvement in the survival of preterm infants, and neurological morbidity is also starting to decrease. T...
High failure rate of the laparoscopic-adjustable gastric band as a primary bariatric procedure

Abstract Background Determinants of success of a bariatric procedure are many but paramount is the ability to durably produce significant and reliable weight loss. We sought to determine the primary success of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) by defining failure as clinical weight loss failure with an intact band (excess weight loss [EWL] Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent an LAGB as a primary bariatric procedure between January 2003 and December 2007. Data collected included body mass index (BMI), weight, postoperative follow-up length, EWL, and adjustment number, as well as complications of the LAGB. Results Sixteen of 120 patients had the band removed. Nine were terminally removed for unmanageable symptoms, and 7 were converted to an alternative bariatric procedure. The average follow-up for the 104 patients with an intact band was 4.8 years. The average EWL for successful intact bands was 44.9±19.4%; however, an additional 35.6% of patients had an EWL Conclusion This study finds that the LAGB failed as a primary bariatric procedure for 44% of patients because of either inadequate weight loss or adequate weight loss with unmanageable symptoms. This suggests that the LAGB should be abandoned as a primary bariatric procedure for the majority of morbidly obese patients because of its high failure rate.
Synthesis of AB diblock copolymers by atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and living polymerization of alpha-amino acid-N-carboxyanhydrides

The synthesis of poly(methyl acrylate)-block-poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PMA-b-PBLG) diblock copolymers, using atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl acrylate and living polymerization of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride (Glu-NCA) is described. Amido-amidate nickelacycle end groups were incorporated onto amino-terminated poly(methyl acrylates), and the resulting complexes were successfully used as macroinitiators for the growth of polypeptide segments. This method allows the controlled preparation of polypeptide-block-poly(methyl acrylate) diblock architectures with control over polypeptide chain length and without the formation of homopolypeptide contaminants.
Linear interaction energy approximation for binding affinities of nevirapine and HEPT analogues with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

The binding affinities and binding mechanism of nevirapine and HEPT analogues with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1RT) have been studied in this paper with a recently proposed linear interaction ...
Motion and Force Prediction in Haptic Media

This paper introduces a novel generic method aimed at predicting motion and force information in haptic media. An autoregressive (AR) model is presented for the prediction of both, haptic movement and force. The conditional maximum likelihood technique is utilized in order to accurately estimate the adaptive coefficients of the AR model. Furthermore, the incorporation of concepts from haptic perceptibility, i.e. the just noticeable difference (JND), has been demonstrated to optimize the suggested algorithm, while preserving the immersiveness of the haptic-enabled environment. The proposed technique has also proved to provide accurate prediction results for non-linear haptic movement and force information while simultaneously remaining computationally efficient.
The impacts of reactive terpene emissions from plants on air quality in Las Vegas, Nevada

Abstract A three-part study was conducted to quantify the impact of landscaped vegetation on air quality in a rapidly expanding urban area in the arid southeastern United States. The study combines in situ, plant-level measurements, a spatial emissions inventory, and a photochemical box model. Maximum plant-level basal emission rates were moderate: 18.1 μgC gdw−1 h−1 (Washingtonia spp., palms) for isoprene and 9.56 μgC gdw−1 h−1 (Fraxinus velutina, Arizona ash) for monoterpenes. Sesquiterpene emission rates were low for plant species selected in this study, with no measurement exceeding 0.1 μgC gdw−1 h−1. The high ambient temperatures combined with moderate plant-level emission factors resulted in landscape emission factors that were low (250–640 μgC m−2 h−1) compared to more mesic environments (e.g., the southeastern United States). The Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism (RACM) was modified to include a new reaction pathway for ocimene. Using measured concentrations of anthropogenic hydrocarbons and other reactive air pollutants (NOx, ozone), the box model employing the RACM mechanism revealed that these modest emissions could have a significant impact on air quality. For a suburban location that was downwind of the urban core (high NOx; low anthropogenic hydrocarbons), biogenic terpenes increased time-dependent ozone production rates by a factor of 50. Our study demonstrates that low-biomass density landscapes emit sufficient biogenic terpenes to have a significant impact on regional air quality.
Construction of a Genome-Length cDNA Clone for Human Astrovirus Serotype 1 and Synthesis of Infectious RNA Transcripts

We have constructed a genome-length cDNA clone for human astrovirus serotype 1. When a human colon cancer-derived cell line, CaCo-2, is transfected with RNA transcribed in vitro from this cDNA clone, infectious virus is produced at titers close to those observed after infection with intact astrovirus. A rodent cell line, BHK, which is largely refractory to astrovirus infection, was found to support efficient growth of the virus if transfected with viral RNA. The high transfection efficiency seen in the BHK cells allows studies of the viral replication in the transfected cells and thus should prove useful for the characterization of noninfectious astroviral mutants.
Meeting Oral Health Needs to Promote the Well-Being of the Geriatric Population: Educational Research Issues

This article reviews some of the more recent demographic changes affecting aging populations. The author expands the concept of aging to include persons who may be chronologically young but biologically old because they are medically compromised or developmentally disabled. It is not known how many persons can be included in this definition who will need care, and the question is what are their needs and how are we going to teach dental students and dentists to care for them. These problems are discussed, and some models of care are described.
Facilitation of contrast detection by cross-oriented surround stimuli and its psychophysical mechanisms

Neurophysiological and psychophysical evidence indicates that neuronal surround modulation at cross-orientation (orthogonal to the preferred orientation of the classical receptive field) plays a key role in intermediate-level visual tasks, such as textural segregation and perceptual pop-out. What is missing is a psychophysical description of cross surround modulation at the spatial filter level in low-level vision. Moreover, neurophysiological evidence for how cross surround modulation is expressed at the neuronal level has been inconsistent. Here we report evidence for psychophysical facilitation of contrast detection by cross surround stimuli (orthogonal to the target orientation) that may provide insights into both the neurophysiology and psychophysics of cross surround modulation. We found that cross surround facilitation is a surround-contrast dependent effect mainly evident at low surround contrasts, and is narrowly tuned to spatial frequency and broadly tuned to orientation. To understand whether cross surround facilitation results from low-level processing of signal-to-noise enhancement or is due to uncertainty reduction at a higher-level decision stage, we (1) studied cross surround facilitation with an equivalent noise protocol, (2) estimated the changes in the slope of the psychometric function and the uncertainty parameter, M, and (3) measured cross surround effects at the dipper of the TvC function. The converging evidence suggests that cross surround facilitation of contrast detection is mainly a result of low-level signal-to-noise enhancement, and is little affected by uncertainty change.
An examination of the moisture sorption characteristics of commercial magnesium stearate.

The objective of this study was to characterize the moisture sorption of magnesium stearate and the morphological changes, if any, resulting from moisture sorption. Six samples of commercial magnesium stearate USP were examined. Moisture sorption isotherms were obtained at 25°C and 5% to 98% relative humidity (RH) using a moisture balance. Changes in crystal form resulting from moisture sorption were determined by x-ray diffraction. There were differences in the shape of the isotherm, reversibility of moisture uptake, and shape of the hysteresis loop in the isotherms of crystalline and amorphous magnesium stearates. The isotherm of crystalline magnesium stearate was almost parallel to the pressure axis until and RH of ∼80%. The isotherm of the amorphous sample was characterized by continuous uptake of water over the entire range of RH. Exposure of amorphous magnesium stearate to RH greater than 70% resulted in the formation of the trihydrate. The trihydrate was converted into the anhydrous form when heated to a temperature of 100°C to 105°C. The trihydrate could be generated by exposing the anhydrate to RH higher than 70%.
Whole Versus the Piecemeal Approach to Evaluating Soy

Soy has been singled out for attention among other legumes as a valuable source of nutrients, phytochemicals, and bioactive compounds. Early epidemiological studies established that whole soy and traditional soy foods were implicated in health-protective effects in Asian populations. The same benefits attributable to soy have not been consistently proven in Western populations that, for various reasons, opt to consume more processed soy foods or various soy components. Soy researchers continue to isolate soy components in search of identifying its salubrious components and whole soy remains relatively underinvestigated despite what we know of the health benefits it may confer to those regularly consuming it. Various dietary guidelines advocate the regular consumption of legumes that tend not to be included in our diets in sufficient quantities. This paper highlights the possibility that whole soy may have a more unique effect on health than a select soy component(s). It explores the rationale for focusing research on whole soy in an attempt to understand it better rather than trying to replicate the health benefits by targeting various soy components, which has been plagued by inconsistent results. J. Nutr. 140: 2335S‐2343S, 2010.
Internet-delivered behavioral intervention to increase physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis: sustainability and secondary outcomes.

Physical activity is associated with many benefits, but persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are less physically active than the general population. There is a critical need for research on methods of increasing and sustaining the physical activity levels of this population. This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of an Internet-delivered and theory-based behavioral intervention that was supplemented with video coaching for increasing and sustaining physical activity over time in persons with MS. Physically inactive, ambulatory persons with MS (N = 45) were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 22) or control (n = 23) conditions and completed a battery of questionnaires before, after, and three months after a 12-week intervention period. Data analyses were conducted in PASW 18.0. Partial eta squared ( ) effect size indicated that there was a large, statistically significant condition-by-time interaction on physical activity ( ). Cohen's d effect sizes indicated that the intervention group ...
Mercury: a wearable sensor network platform for high-fidelity motion analysis

This paper describes Mercury, a wearable, wireless sensor platform for motion analysis of patients being treated for neuromotor disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy, and stroke. In contrast to previous systems intended for short-term use in a laboratory, Mercury is designed to support long-term, longitudinal data collection on patients in hospital and home settings. Patients wear up to 8 wireless nodes equipped with sensors for monitoring movement and physiological conditions. Individual nodes compute high-level features from the raw signals, and a base station performs data collection and tunes sensor node parameters based on energy availability, radio link quality, and application specific policies.Mercury is designed to overcome the core challenges of long battery lifetime and high data fidelity for long-term studies where patients wear sensors continuously 12 to 18 hours a day. This requires tuning sensor operation and data transfers based on energy consumption of each node and processing data under severe computational constraints. Mercury provides a high-level programming interface that allows a clinical researcher to rapidly build up different policies for driving data collection and tuning sensor lifetime. We present the Mercury architecture and a detailed evaluation of two applications of the system for monitoring patients with Parkinson's Disease and epilepsy.
Complicating ‘Victim’ Narratives: Childhood Agency within Violent Circumstances

Modernist assumptions have created universal notions of childhood that have given more power to adults and have made what has been defined as ‘children’ as one of the most subjugated and marginalized groups in societies globally. As such, many younger human beings have been forced to live with the everyday realities of abuse for which they are often situated as victims. In order to problematize victim discourses, using Black feminist thought as a theoretical lens, this article juxtapositions lived experiences of childhood sexual abuse with moments of resistance and empowerment, experiences that that the author argues cannot be separated. The article concludes with critical questions we might consider to resist reifying dominant views of children as those without agency and ways that we might rethink social and institutional structures that uphold power for adults and allow for the continued exploitation of younger human beings.
Maintaining blood compartment volume in dialyzers reprocessed with peracetic acid maintains Kt/V but not β2-microglobulin removal

A dialyzer is reused if its blood compartment volume is 80% of its initial value, a condition believed to ensure that the urea clearance remains at 90% of its initial value. This criterion was developed for dialyzers containing low permeability cellulose membranes reprocessed with formaldehyde. We tested the hypothesis that the criterion is also valid for more permeable membranes when dialyzers are reprocessed with peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide. Kt/V for urea and reduction in beta2-microglobulin concentration were measured for up to 15 uses in dialyzers containing polysulfone or cellulose membranes. Kt/V for urea did not change for either dialyzer provided blood compartment volumes remained 80% of their initial value. The reduction in plasma beta2-microglobulin concentration from predialysis to postdialysis was 30% for the first use of the dialyzer containing polysulfone membranes, but decreased significantly (P = 0.042) following reuse to 12% for the tenth use. For the dialyzers containing cellulose membranes, the reduction in plasma beta2-microglobulin concentration was 18% for the first use and decreased to 12% by the twelfth use; however, this change was not significant. We conclude that removal of urea is maintained during reuse with peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide provided the blood compartment volume remains 80% of its initial value. However, removal of beta2-microglobulin may not be maintained, even though blood compartment volumes remain at 80% of their initial value.
CcpB, a Novel Transcription Factor Implicated in Catabolite Repression in Bacillus subtilis

Recent work has shown that in Bacillus subtilis catabolite repression of several operons is mediated by a mechanism dependent on DNA-binding protein CcpA complexed to a seryl-phosphorylated derivative of HPr [HPr(Ser-P)], the small phosphocarrier protein of the phosphoenolpyruvate-sugar phosphotransferase system. In this study, it was found that a transposon insertional mutation resulted in the partial loss of gluconate (gnt) and xylose (xyl) operon catabolite repression by glucose, mannitol, and sucrose. The transposon insertion was localized to a gene, designated ccpB, encoding a protein 30% identical to CcpA, and relief from catabolite repression was shown to be due to the absence of CcpB rather than to the absence of a protein encoded by a downstream gene within the same operon. The relative intensities of CcpA- and CcpB-mediated catabolite repression depended on growth conditions. On solid media, and when cells were grown in liquid media with little agitation, CcpB and CcpA both proved to function in catabolite repression. However, when cells were grown in liquid media with much agitation, CcpA alone mediated catabolite repression. Like CcpA, CcpB appears to exert its catabolite-repressing effect by a mechanism dependent on the presence of HPr(Ser-P).
A synthesis of plant invasion effects on biodiversity across spatial scales

 Premise of the study: Invasive plant species are typically thought to pose a large threat to native biodiversity, and local-scale studies typically confi rm this view. However, plant invaders rarely cause regional extirpations or global extinctions, causing some to suggest that invasive species ’ infl uence on native biodiversity may not be so dire. We aim to synthesize the seemingly confl icting literature in plant invasion biology by evaluating the effects of invasive plant species across spatial scales.  Methods: We fi rst conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of invasive plants on the species richness of invaded communities across a range of spatial extents. We then discuss studies that consider the role of invasive plants on regional spatial scales for which such meta-analyses are not possible. Finally, we develop a conceptual framework to synthesize the infl uence of invasive species across spatial scales by explicitly recognizing how invasive species alter species-occupancy distributions.  Key results: We found a negative relationship between the spatial extent of the study and the effect size of invasive plants on species richness. Our simulation models suggest that this result can occur if invaders, either proportionately or disproportionately, reduce the occupancy of common species to a greater degree than rare species.  Conclusions: Future studies should consider the infl uence of invaders on the abundance and occupancy-level changes in native species to inform how invasive plants will infl uence native species richness relationships across spatial scales. This approach will allow greater predictive ability for forecasting changes in biodiversity in the face of anthropogenic biological invasions and will inform invasive species management and restoration.
Excretion of Phosphoric Acid by Red Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Food sources, mineral redistribution, and excreta are some of the ways ants enrich their mound environment. Phosphorus excretion has not been reported in red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Quantification of phosphoric acid in worker fecal droplets and larval anal liquid of S. invicta was performed. Phosphoric acid was trimethylsilylated using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, and the tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphate was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Phosphoric acid made up 2.13 ± 1.08% (SD) of the dry weight of worker fecal droplets and 2.09 ± 0.72% of the larval anal liquid. The rate of phosphoric acid production in workers was 0.08 ± 0.024 μg/ant/d. Because the hindgut of red imported fire ant larva is separated from the midgut, the excretory products in larval anal liquid are primarily of metabolic origin. The presence of phosphoric acid in larval anal liquid shows that red imported fire ants excrete phosphoric acid.
Nonutility of Measurement of Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase Activities in Diagnosis of Myocardial Disease

We have examined the usefulness of measuring gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in serum, in diagnosing myocardial damage. Abnormalities in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity were compared with those observed for aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes, creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Such measurements were made for 12 consecutive days on 22 patients admitted to the coronary care units. Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was not increased in all cases studied, but when it was increased, the electrophoretic band of the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme originating from the liver also showed abnormal activity. We conclude that the changes observed in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity primarily reflect liver involvement, as in congestive heart failure, rather than myocardial disease.
Primordial Germ Cell Specification and Migration

Primordial germ cells are the progenitor cells that give rise to the gametes. In some animals, the germline is induced by zygotic transcription factors, whereas in others, primordial germ cell specification occurs via inheritance of maternally provided gene products known as germ plasm. Once specified, the primordial germ cells of some animals must acquire motility and migrate to the gonad in order to survive. In all animals examined, perinuclear structures called germ granules form within germ cells. This review focuses on some of the recent studies, conducted by several groups using diverse systems, from invertebrates to vertebrates, which have provided mechanistic insight into the molecular regulation of germ cell specification and migration.
Beta-Blocker Therapy After Myocardial Infarction: More Questions Than Answers

Beta-blocker therapy improves survival in patients following acute myocardial infarction (MI). Their routine use in this setting became so well established that a hospital performance measure, the percentage of patients with acute MI prescribed beta-blockers within 7 days of hospital discharge, was
Discovery and Dynamic Consistency

We provide a simple model in which the decision maker successively discovers elements of the world and expands the state space over time. We propose a dynamic consistency condition that after a new discovery the preference ranking should remain unchanged over acts to which the discovery is irrelevant. Together with other natural axioms, it characterizes a model in which the decision maker's belief evolves over time in order that the marginal distribution of a new belief induced over the old state space coincides with the old belief. It is extended in order to encompass both discovery and learning events, and we characterize the model with an additional property that the decision maker's belief updating follows Bayes' rule when she learns events.
Structure and function of retinoid-binding proteins.

Biological processes which require compounds derived from vitamin A (retinol) include morphogenesis, spermatogenesis, the maintenance of epithelial tissue, and vision. For the last process the light-activated cis-trans isomerization of rhodopsin-bound retinaldehyde triggers a cascade of events which ultimately results in the hydrolysis of cyclic GMP. For morphogenesis, spermatogenesis, and the maintenance of epithelial tissue it is presumably retinoic acid that is the active metabolite. Both 9-cis and all-trans retinoic acid are transcriptional activators which exert their effects through binding to nuclear proteins that are members of the superfamily that includes the steroid hormone receptors. Various proteins mediate the transport and metabolism of the hydrophobic vitamin and consequently modulate the concentration of retinoic acid available to the nucleus. Both extracellular and intracellular retinoid-binding proteins have been identified in numerous cell types. In addition, the eye has retinoid binding proteins which are distinct for that organ: a cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRalBP) and a interstitial/interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (I-RBP).
Porous one-dimensional carbon/iron oxide composite for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with high and stable capacity

Abstract Hematite iron oxide (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) is considered to be a prospective anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity (1007 mAh g −1 ), nontoxicity, and low cost. However, the low electrical conductivity and large volume change during Li insertion/extraction of α-Fe 2 O 3 hinder its use in practical batteries. In this study, carbon-coated α-Fe 2 O 3 nanofibers, prepared via an electrospinning method followed by a thermal treatment process, are employed as the anode material for LIBs. The as-prepared porous nanofibers with a carbon content of 12.5 wt% show improved cycling performance and rate capability. They can still deliver a high and stable capacity of 715 mAh g −1 even at superior high current density of 1000 mA g −1 after 200 cycles with a large Coulombic efficiency of 99.2%. Such improved electrochemical performance can be assigned to their unique porous fabric structure as well as the conductive carbon coating which shorten the distance for Li ion transport, enhancing Li ion reversibility and kinetic properties. It is, therefore, demonstrated that carbon-coated α-Fe 2 O 3 nanofiber prepared under optimized conditions is a promising anode material candidate for LIBs.
The problem with hand-offs.

Poor communication during hand-offs, hierarchical organizations that prevent frontline caregivers from voicing concerns, lack of patient education, and reluctance to take responsibility for errors can all have dangerous consequences for patients.
United States v. Textron, Inc.: The First Circuit En Banc Eviscerates the Work Product Doctrine and Creates a New 'Prepared for' Test

On August 13, 2009, the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on rehearing en banc held, in a 3-2 decision, that tax accrual workpapers prepared by Textron, Inc. are not protected by the work product privilege. This decision reverses the district court’s decision finding the workpapers were privileged because they were prepared in anticipation of litigation. As a result of this decision, “the majority has thrown the law of work product protection into disarray.” This article analyzes the case and concludes that this decision has undermined the financial statement disclosure process, the corporate counsel/client relationship and the policies behind the work product doctrine itself.