cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A fluorescence study of conformational changes induced by substrate and temperature in bovine liver thiosulfate sulfurtransferase.

Abstract Structural transitions occurring in the range of 0–50°C have been detected and studied in the enzyme thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (thiosulfate:cyanide sulfurtransferase, EC 2.8.1.1) by investigating both the intrinsic protein fluorescence and the fluorescence of covalently bound probes. The intrinsis fluorescence of the enzyme decreases sharply at 27°C and the magnitude of this quenching is smaller for the sulfur-substituted enzyme (ES) than for the free enzyme (E), both of which are obligatory catalytic intermediates. The effect with ES is fully reversible and almost completely so with E. Fluorescence depolarization studies with thiosulfate sufurtransferase labeled at a number of different sites with the fluorosphore dimethylaminonaphthalene show a sharp increase in the polarization starting at 27°C when the temperature/viscosity ratio is varied with temperature and no transition when the ratio is varied with glycerol. Enzyme activity shows no transition at 27°C but falls abruptly ahove 40°C. Under the appropriate conditions, the 27°C transition will lead to association of thiosulfate suifurtransferase molecules and the appearance of turbidity. Both activity and fluorescence measurements support the idea that the ES form is significantly more stable than the E form. These results may result from changes in the interactions between the structural domains into which the single polypeptide chain of thiosulfate sulfurtransferase is folded.
Molecular motions involved in Na-K-Cl cotransporter-mediated ion transport and transporter activation revealed by internal cross-linking between transmembrane domains 10 and 11/12.

We examined the relationship between transmembrane domain (TM) 10 and TM11/12 in NKCC1, testing homology models based on the structure of AdiC in the same transporter superfamily. We hypothesized that introduced cysteine pairs would be close enough for disulfide formation and would alter transport function: indeed, evidence for cross-link formation with low micromolar concentrations of copper phenanthroline or iodine was found in 3 of 8 initially tested pairs and in 1 of 26 additionally tested pairs. Inhibition of transport was observed with copper phenanthroline and iodine treatment of P676C/A734C and I677C/A734C, consistent with the proximity of these residues and with movement of TM10 during the occlusion step of ion transport. We also found Cu2+ inhibition of the single-cysteine mutant A675C, suggesting that this residue and Met382 of TM3 are involved in a Cu2+-binding site. Surprisingly, cross-linking of P676C/I730C was found to prevent rapid deactivation of the transporter while not affecting the dephosphorylation rate, thus uncoupling the phosphorylation and activation steps. Consistent with this, (a) cross-linking of P676C/I730C was dependent on activation state, and (b) mutants lacking the phosphoregulatory domain could still be activated by cross-linking. These results suggest a model of NKCC activation that involves movement of TM12 relative to TM10, which is likely tied to movement of the large C terminus, a process somehow triggered by phosphorylation of the regulatory domain in the N terminus.
Z dependence of radiative and Auger transitions rates from doubly excited 3l3l′ states of helium-like ions

Abstract X-ray and Auger transition rates, transition energies, fluorescence yields, and nonradiative branching ratios are calculated for doubly excited 3 l 3 l ′ configurations of helilum-like chromium and nickel. The calculation has been performed using Hartree–Fock–Slater atomic model. Intermediate coupling and configuration interaction have been taken into account. The energies and widths are found to be strongly affected by configuration interaction. The Z dependence of transition rates are investigated for ions with atomic number Z = 10 , 14, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 using the present theoretical data and the data from some of our previous calculations.
Postural hypotension and abnormalities of salt and water metabolism in myelopathy patients.

To describe the clinical manifestations of postural hypotension (PH) in myelopathy patients a standardized interview and chart review were carried out. Of 232 myelopathy patients with more than 2 years of paralysis seen during a 2 year period, 30 had been treated for PH. All PH patients were paralysed at levels higher than thoracic 7. The highest risk patients were tetraplegic, motor complete, 24 of 73 (33%). The common symptoms of PH were those of reduced consciousness (100%), strength (75%), vision (56%) and breath (53%). Precipitating factors were hot weather (77%) bowel care (33%) and meals (30%). Symptoms worsened with the duration of paralysis in 12 patients. Chronic hyponatremia was found in 54% of the PH patients and 16% of those without, P 150 mOsm/kg) while four failed to conserve salt (> 19 mmol Na/L). PH is common among myelopathy patients with higher levels of paralysis, symptoms are variable, and abnormal salt and water metabolism often coexist.
On Lossless Reciprocal and Nonreciprocal Matching Networks of an Active Load

Abstract A general matching theory between an arbitrary passive impedance and an active load impedance is presented. It extends the broadband matching theory to include both lossless reciprocal and nonreciprocal networks. Application of the result to the design of nonreciprocal negative-resistance amplifier is given. The significance of the present approach is that the realization of the equalizer is accomplished by means of the driving-point synthesis based on the Darlington theory. The result enlarges the domain of realizable broadband matching networks. An illustrative example is presented to show the design procedure and the conditions under which a lossless nonreciprocal network is realized for an active load.
Stability of RNA hairpins closed by wobble base pairs.

Thermodynamic parameters are reported for hairpin formation in 1 M NaCl by RNA sequences of the type GGXANmAYCC, where XY is the wobble base pair, GU or UG, and the underlined loop sequences are three to eight nucleotides. A nearest-neighbor analysis indicates the free energy of loop formation is dependent upon loop size and closing base pair. Hairpin loops closed by UG base pairs are on average 1.3 kcal/mol less stable than hairpins closed by GU base pairs. The hairpin loops closed by UG have approximately the same stability as hairpin loops closed by AU/UA base pairs, while the loops closed by GU are approximately 0.7 kcal/mol more stable than hairpins loops closed by GC/CG base pairs. These results, combined with the model previously developed [Serra et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 4844] to predict the stability for hairpin loops closed by Watson−Crick base pairs, allow for the following model to predict the stability of hairpin loops: ΔG°37L(n) = ΔG°37iL(n) + ΔG°37mm + 0.6 (if closed by AU, UA, or UB)...
Experience With Supercritical Helium Cooling On A Rocket Sensor

A large telescoped infrared sensor was successfully flown on a rocket. A supercritical helium cryogenic system was used to cool the various parts of the sensor and to avoid cooling problems associated with liquid/gas phase mixing during the weightless part of the flight. The design and operational experience are presented. Since the flight of the sen-sor lasted only eight minutes, most of the operational time was spent calibrating and testing the sensor on the ground. This testing was relatively expensive since approxi-mately 20,000 liters of liquid helium were consumed. Alternate approaches to the design and operations are discussed which can improve the economy of the calibration and testing operations.
Deflagration-to-detonation characteristics of a laser exploding bridge detonator

Evaluation of laser initiated explosive trains has been an area of extreme interest due to the safety benefits of these systems relative to traditional electro-explosive devices. A particularly important difference is these devices are inherently less electro-static discharge (ESD) sensitive relative to traditional explosive devices due to the isolation of electrical power and associated materials from the explosive interface. This paper will report work conducted at Sandia National Laboratories' Explosive Components Facility, which evaluated the initiation and deflagration-to-detonation characteristics of a Laser Driven Exploding Bridgewire detonator. This paper will report and discuss characteristics of Laser Exploding Bridgewire devices loaded with hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) and tetraammine-cis-bis-(5-nitro-2H-tetrazolato-N2) cobalt (III) perchlorate (BNCP).
RNA and actinomycin-D enhancement of learning in the carp

A total of 172 carp were tested in three experiments on a T-maze visual discrimination task. As compared to saline controls, carp given intracranial injections of either RNA or actinomycin-D made significantly more correct responses on a 24-hr. test. This effect may relate to the increased availability of nucleotides.
Pharmacokinetics of 5-Fluorouracil: Inter-relationship with Biochemical Kinetics in Monitoring Therapy

The major difficulty in-using pharmacokinetic concepts for monitoring individual therapy with 5-fluorouracil is based on the mostly intracellular location of the active nucleotide metabolites of 5-fluorouracil with no clear correlation to plasma levels of the drug. In addition, the basic biochemical mechanism of ‘thymine-less cell death’ following inhibition of de novo thymidylate synthesis by 2′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine 5′-monophosphate (FdUMP) is poorly understood, and only some of the biochemical determinants of therapeutic response to 5-fluorouracil are known. Individualised therapy with 5-fhiorouracil requires an integrated approach which should include methods of pharmacokinetics and biochemical kinetics. 5-Fluorouracil stands as an example for most of the pyrimidine and purine metabolites to which similar considerations apply in monitoring of cancer chemotherapy.
The Pattern of Cellular Organization of Human Epidermis

Cell alignment in the stratum corneum of frozen sections of specimens of human skin was examined by light microscopy following expansion of the stratum corneum in alkaline buffer. Some degree of ordered structure was found in all specimens examined but considerable variation existed in precision of cell alignment. The typical degree of cell alignment was less precise than that typically observed in experimental animals.
Analysis of cascades using a two dimensional Euler aeroelastic solver

A two-dimensional unsteady aerodynamic Euler solver based on a flux differencing scheme is being developed to analyze oscillating cascades. The cascades can have subsonic, transonic, or supersonic flow with either subsonic or supersonic axial velocity. The aerodynamic solver is coupled with a typical section structural model for each blade of the cascade. Flutter analysis methods both in time and frequency domains are then implemented into the resulting aeroelastic solver. Methods that reduce computational time for calculating the unsteady aerodynamic coefficients, namely the influence coefficient method and the pulse response method, are also implemented and validated. The present solver showed good correlation with published results for all the flow regimes. It is shown that grid coarsening improved the accuracy of the predictions. A representative flutter calculation showed that both the frequency domain and time domain methods are implemented correctly into the aeroelastic solver.
Evidence from RAPD markers in the evolution of Echinochloa millets (Poaceae)

Echinochloa (Poaceae) includes two domesticated species,Echinochloa utilis (Japanese barnyard millet) andE. frumentacea (Indian sawa millet) and 20–30 wild species. The two millets are morphologically very variable and overlap in spikelet and inflorescence characteristics. Both species are hexaploids based on x = 9. Cytogenetic studies point to the hexaploid wild speciesE. crusgalli andE. colona as possible progenitors ofE. utilis andE. frumentacea, respectively. The tetraploidE. oryzoides is considered as a possible genome donor to wild and domesticated barnyard millet. Markers from Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA method were used to assess the proposed phylogeny and examine the genetic diversity in both domesticated and wild species. The data were analyzed numerically.Echinochloa utilis andE. frumentacea appear very distinct, but grouped withE. crusgalli andE. colona, respectively. The tetraploidE. oryzoides show strong genetic affinity to theE. utilis—E. crusgalli group. The data are in general agreement with the cytogenetic information; however, some disagreements on the interpretation of some of the cytogenetic information is raised. The variability in DNA markers observed in the domesticated species, particularlyE. frumentacea, points to the feasibility of using RAPD markers in cultivar fingerprinting and breeding programs of these millets.
A computer-based tutorial structure for teaching and applying a complex process

Abstract Economic accountability concerns for wildfire prevention planning have led to the development of an ignition management approach to fire problems. The Fire Loss Prevention Planning Process (FLPPP) systematizers fire problem analyses and concomitantly establishes a means for evaluating prescribed prevention programs. However, new users of the FLPPP have experienced difficulty with both understanding and implementation. Consequently, an on-line tutorial is being developed for delivery of the rationale and methods of the FLPPP. This format takes the form of a knowledge-based intelligent tutoring system. The flexible design of the system permits several types of knowledge to be easily included. Mixed initiative interaction between user-student and system affords the student substantial control in exploring areas for which he or she may require a tutor. A close look at tutoring systems is recommended as an alternative to hard-copy documents for teaching individuals in an unfamiliar domain.
The Evolution of Medical Services for Students at Colleges and Universities in the United States

Factors contributing to the establishment of the earliest college health programs are reviewed. The author considers the evolution of these programs for two periods: the first 100 years (1860-1960) and the next 30 years (1960-1990). The changing emphases in college health programs during these two periods are seen as responses to contemporaneous events, including the development of vaccines and other advances in science and medicine, the emergence of intercollegiate athletics--first as a significant element in the college experience and subsequently as a major business--and the expansion of higher education in response to the arrival of the baby boomers in the mid-1960s. Contemporary healthcare reform is briefly reviewed, and the author concludes with an assessment of the probable impact of current healthcare reform proposals on the future of college health programs and on campus-controlled health centers.
THE 7 Li/ 6 Li ISOTOPE RATIO NEAR THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT IC 443

We present an analysis of {sup 7}Li/{sup 6}Li isotope ratios along four sight lines that probe diffuse molecular gas near the supernova remnant IC 443. Recent gamma-ray observations have revealed the presence of shock-accelerated cosmic rays interacting with the molecular cloud surrounding the remnant. Our results indicate that the {sup 7}Li/{sup 6}Li ratio is lower in regions more strongly affected by these interactions, a sign of recent Li production by cosmic rays. We find that {sup 7}Li/{sup 6}Li Almost-Equal-To 7 toward HD 254755, which is located just outside the visible edge of IC 443, while {sup 7}Li/{sup 6}Li Almost-Equal-To 3 along the line of sight to HD 43582, which probes the interior region of the supernova remnant. No evidence of {sup 7}Li synthesis by neutrino-induced spallation is found in material presumably contaminated by the ejecta of a core-collapse supernova. The lack of a neutrino signature in the {sup 7}Li/{sup 6}Li ratios near IC 443 is consistent with recent models of Galactic chemical evolution, which suggest that the {nu}-process plays only a minor role in Li production.
Emergency Cerclage Placement in Multifetal Pregnancies with a Dilated Cervix and Exposed Membranes: Case Series

Pregnancies complicated by midtrimester painless cervical dilation are known to have associations with preterm birth. In situations where fetal amniotic membranes are exposed, the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality increases dramatically in this particularly high-risk population. Multifetal gestations further increase the risk of preterm birth, yet there remains a paucity of data supporting therapeutic intervention for these patients. We report a case series of 12 multifetal gestations with painless cervical dilation and exposed fetal membranes that underwent emergency cerclage placement. Pregnancy prolongation was achieved on average 60.25 days with 76.9% neonatal survival. These findings are suggestive that emergency cerclage may be a beneficial treatment in this unique patient population.
Monitoring and Modeling Flow and Salt Transport in a Salinity-Threatened Irrigated Valley

Saline high water tables pose a growing threat to the world’s productive irrigated land. Much of this land lies along arid alluvial plains, where solutions must now be developed in the context of changing constraints on river management. Findings are presented from the preliminary phase of a project aimed at developing, through well-conceived data collection and modeling, strategies to sustain irrigated agriculture in the salinity-threatened lower Arkansas River Basin of Colorado. Extensive field data from a representative subregion of the valley reveal the nature and variability of water table depth and salinity, irrigation efficiency and salt loading, and soil salinity. The shallow water table had an average salinity concentration of 3,100 mg/L and an average depth of 2.1 m, and was less than 1.5 m deep under about 25% of the area. Evidence reveals low irrigation efficiencies and high salt loading under each of six canals serving the subregion. Water table depths less than 2.5–3 m contributed to soil sa...
Central America Field Epidemiology Training Program (CA FETP): a pathway to sustainable public health capacity development

The Central America Field Epidemiology Training Program (CA FETP) is a public health capacity-building training programme aimed at developing high-caliber field epidemiologists at various levels of the public health system. It began in 2000 as part of the effort to rebuild public health infrastructure in six Central American and Caribbean countries following the devastation of Hurricanes Mitch and Georges in late 1998. Since then, the CA FETP has evolved from one regional training programme managed by CDC to several national FETPs with each country assuming ownership of its domestic programme. The curriculum is competency-based, and is divided into a three-tiered training pyramid that corresponds to the needs at the local, district and central levels of the health system. Trainees at each tier spend about 20% of their time in the classroom and 80% in the field implementing what they have learned while being mentored by graduates of the programme. FETP trainees have responded to multiple natural disasters and conducted hundreds of investigations including surveillance evaluations, outbreak responses and planned studies. Also graduates of the CA FETP are assuming influential positions in their respective ministries. As countries meet the challenge of institutionalizing their programmes, the CA FETP concept will increasingly be recognized as a model for sustainable public health capacity development.
Unplanned left ventricular assist device insertion after elective low-risk off-pump coronary artery revascularization.

ALTHOUGH CORONARY artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardioplegic arrest remains the gold standard for myocardial revascularization, the morbidity associated with it is not insignificant. In an effort to reduce morbidity associated with CPB, off-pump CABG (OPCAB) surgery is becoming increasingly popular. However, no large prospective controlled randomized trial has compared long-term graft patency and the morbidity and mortality of OPCAB versus CABG with CPB. Despite a lack of large rigorously conducted clinical trials, OPCAB is alleged by many clinicians to be as safe1-5 or safer than6-10 conventional CABG with CPB. The authors report the case of a low-risk patient who required unplanned insertion of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) after elective OPCAB surgery.
Epidemiology of Aflatoxin Exposure and Human Liver Cancer

Aflatoxins, especially aflatoxin B1, are potent hepatocarcinogens that induce liver tumors in many species of animals, including rodents, nonhuman primates, and fish. Human primary liver cancer, mainly hepatocellular carcinoma, is one of the most common diseases in Asia, Africa, and in populations of Asian‐ and Hispanic‐Americans. Over the past 40 years there have been extensive efforts to investigate the association between aflatoxin exposure and human liver cancer. These studies have been hindered in earlier years by the lack of adequate biomarkers and dosimetry data on aflatoxin intake, excretion, and metabolism in people, as well as by the general poor quality of world‐wide cancer morbidity and mortality statistics. Many studies carried out in the past decade have incorporated the molecular analysis of the cancer gene targets and aflatoxin‐specific biomarkers, which have spurred efforts to assess aflatoxin exposure and human liver cancer risks. These molecular epidemiological studies eventually led to...
Macrophage-mediated endothelial inflammatory responses to airborne particulates: impact of particulate physicochemical properties.

Epidemiological studies have implicated a role for airborne particulates of <2.5 microm diameter in the development/exacerbation of chronic cardiopulmonary disease; however, specific pathogenic mechanisms and the etiological significance of particle physicochemical properties remain unresolved. Using a microporous aluminosilicate zeolite Y as a manifold, we have synthesized 1 microm particulates of pure carbon (C), carbon-iron (C/Fe), and carbon-iron/fluoro-aluminum silicate (C-Fe/F-Al-Si). We have used these particulates, as well as coal fly ash (CFA) and diesel exhaust particulates (DEP), to test the hypotheses that human macrophages treated with particulates elaborate proinflammatory cytokines in quantities sufficient to induce endothelial adhesion molecule expression and that macrophage responses to particulate exposure vary as a function of particulate physicochemical properties. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (Mo) were exposed for 24 h to sublethal concentrations of particulates, at which time phagocytosis was evident from optical microscopy. Human arterial, microvascular, or venous endothelial cells (EC) were treated with clarified supernatants recovered from Mo cultures, stained with fluorescein-conjugated mononclonal antibodies specific for endothelial adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, or E-selectin, and assayed by fluorescence flow cytometry. Data generated by these experiments demonstrate that while supernatants of Mo exposed to CFA and C particulates are relatively ineffective, supernatants from DEP, C/Fe, or C-Fe/F-Al-Si strongly induced adhesion molecule expression on EC, responses which were completely attenuated by antibody with blocking specificity for tumor necrosis factor alpha. Because the only difference between C and C/Fe particulates is the presence of surface iron on C/Fe, these findings suggest particulate-induced oxidative stress as a contributing factor in Mo activation and implicate redox active iron as a major determinant of particulate bioreactivity.
On barriers to hybridization between Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (O.F. Müller) and S. Pallidus (G.O. Sars)

Abstract Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (O. F. Muller) and Strongylocentrotus pallidus (G. O. Sars) occur together over much of their ranges in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and remain distinct species, but no strong barrier to genetic exchange has been found in a study in the San Juan Islands. Co-occurrence of embryos of both species in the plankton indicates similar times of spawning. Ova of S. droebachiensis are fertilized by sperm of S. pallidus but the reciprocal cross gives a percent fertilization near zero. Hybrids of both crosses are viable with pigmentation resembling S. pallidus in the larval stage and S. droebachiensis in the adult stage. Ova of first generation female hybrids are more readily fertilized by sperm of S. pallidus, so that gene flow through female hybrids is more likely to be from S. droebachiensis to S. pallidus than the reverse. Male hybrids were not tested. S. droebachiensis and S. pallidus from deeper waters have lower fecundity than shallow water S. droebachiensis, which suggests that in the deeper waters individuals are food limited. The hypothesis that S. pallidus uses the sterile male technique to reduce reproductive output of S. droebachiensis is considered and rejected.
The under-recognized dominance of Verrucomicrobia in soil bacterial communities

Verrucomicrobia are ubiquitous in soil, but members of this bacterial phylum are thought to be present at low frequency in soil, with few studies focusing specifically on verrucomicrobial abundance, diversity, and distribution. Here we used barcoded pyrosequencing to analyze verrucomicrobial communities in surface soils collected across a range of biomes in Antarctica, Europe, and the Americas (112 samples), as well as soils collected from pits dug in a montane coniferous forest (69 samples). Data collected from surface horizons indicate that Verrucomicrobia average 23% of bacterial sequences, making them far more abundant than had been estimated. We show that this underestimation is likely due to primer bias, as many of the commonly used PCR primers appear to exclude verrucomicrobial 16S rRNA genes during amplification. Verrucomicrobia were detected in 180 out of 181 soils examined, with members of the class Spartobacteria dominating verrucomicrobial communities in nearly all biomes and soil depths. The relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia was highest in grasslands and in subsurface soil horizons, where they were often the dominant bacterial phylum. Although their ecology remains poorly understood, Verrucomicrobia appear to be dominant in many soil bacterial communities across the globe, making additional research on their ecology clearly necessary.
Shape isomerism in mercury isotopes

Abstract We study the energies of the mercury isotopes in their oblate, prolate, and bubble shapes within the framework of the single-particle K -matrix theory. A change from an oblate ground state to a prolate ground state is observed when the mass is decreased from 184 to 182. Self-consistent stable bubble configurations were also obtained for these isotopes. They lie a few MeV from the ground deformed state, coming down lower for the mass region around A ≈ 200 and 182. For the isotopes of 188 Hg, 186 Hg, and 182 Hg, the oblate and prolate minima are nearly degenerate; a strong mixing of the prolate and oblate configuration is expected. This mixing is occasionally enhanced for states with non-zero angular momentum when their energies become accidentally near-degenerate due to their differences in moments of inertia. We study such hybridization of shapes in terms of a phenomenological two-center collective model. Good qualitative agreement with experimental energy spectra and branching is observed, indicating a decrease of the prolate-oblate energy difference as the mass number decreases from 188 to 184.
Cross Talk on Campus: Collegiality and Hostility

The author argues that, despite a veneer of gender equality on college campuses, the system of gender difference–particularly men's and women's differing communication patterns–continues to put women students at a distinct disadvantage. Focusing on language, the author outlines several areas where women students experience harassment in and out of the classroom and offers suggestions for changing biased communication patterns on our campuses.
Relationship among Serum Creatinine, Serum Gastrin, Calcium‐phosphorus Product, and Uremic Gastropathy in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats is associated with gastrointestinal signs commonly attributed to uremic gastropathy. Consequently, patients often are treated with antacids and gastrointestinal protectants. This therapeutic regimen is based on documented gastric lesions in uremic humans and dogs, but the nature and incidence of uremic gastropathy in cats are unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives Evaluate uremic gastropathy in CKD cats to facilitate refinement of medical management for gastrointestinal signs. Animals Thirty-seven CKD cats; 12 nonazotemic cats Methods Stomachs were evaluated for the presence of classic uremic gastropathy lesions. Histopathologic lesions were compared with serum creatinine concentrations, calcium-phosphorus product (CPP), and serum gastrin concentrations. Results Gastric ulceration, edema, and vascular fibrinoid change were not observed. The most important gastric lesions in CKD cats were fibrosis and mineralization. Sixteen CKD cats (43%) had evidence of gastric fibrosis of varying severity and 14 CKD cats (38%) had gastric mineralization. CKD cats were more likely to have gastric fibrosis and mineralization than nonazotemic controls (P = .005 and P = .021, respectively). Only cats with moderate and severe azotemia had gastric mineralization. CPP was correlated with disease severity; severely azotemic CKD cats had significantly higher CPP when compared with nonazotemic controls, and to mildly and moderately azotemic cats (P < .05). Gastrin concentrations were significantly higher in CKD cats when compared with nonazotemic controls (P = .003), but increased concentrations were not associated with gastric ulceration. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Uremic gastropathy in CKD cats differs from that described in other species and this difference should be considered when devising medical management.
Oncologic Outcome after Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: 10 Years of Experience

Abstract Background While the published short-term oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) are encouraging, intermediate and long-term data are lacking. Objective We analyzed the oncologic outcome after LRP based on 10 yr of experience. Design, setting, and participants This retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected from 1998 to 2007 studies 1564 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (cT1c–cT3a) who underwent LRP. Intervention LRP was performed by two surgeons at either L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (IMM) in Paris, France, or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City, USA. Measurements Progression of disease was defined as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of ≥0.1ng/ml with confirmatory rise or initiation of secondary therapy. Patients were stratified as low, intermediate, or high risk based on the pretreatment prostate cancer nomogram progression-free probability of >90%, 89–71%, and Results and limitations The overall 5-yr and 8-yr probability of freedom from progression (PFP) was 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74–82%) and 71% (95% CI, 63–78%), respectively. For low-, intermediate-, and high-risk cancer, the 5-yr PFP was 91% (95% CI, 85–95%), 77% (95% CI, 71–82%), and 53% (95% CI, 40–65%), respectively. Surgical margins (SMs) were positive in 13% of the cases. Nodal metastases were detected in 3% of the patients after limited pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and in 10% after a standard PLND ( p Conclusions LRP provided 5- and 8-yr cancer control in 78% and 71% of patients, respectively, with clinically localized prostate cancer and in 53% of those with high-risk cancer at 5 yr. A PLND limited to the external iliac nodal group is inadequate for detecting nodal metastases.
Professional portfolios: The “talk” of the student teaching experience

Abstract In recent years, preservice teachers have been required to develop professional portfolios during their student teaching experience. The rationale generally given for this task is that portfolios are useful products, that provide authentic assessment, promote self‐reflection, and offer substantive feedback on teacher education program effectiveness. This paper reports a study in which the production of professional portfolios was used as a process to facilitate dialogues between student teachers and their mentors. These dialogues centered on the use of portfolios to set goals, monitor professional development, and promote collaboration between student teachers and their mentors.
Autophagy is an adaptive response in desmin-related cardiomyopathy

A missense mutation in the αB-crystallin (CryAB) gene triggers a severe form of desmin-related cardiomyopathy (DRCM) characterized by accumulation of misfolded proteins. We hypothesized that autophagy increases in response to protein aggregates and that this autophagic activity is adaptive. Mutant CryAB (CryABR120G) triggered a >2-fold increase in cardiomyocyte autophagic activity, and blunting autophagy increased the rate of aggregate accumulation and the abundance of insoluble CryABR120G-associated aggregates. Cardiomyocyte-restricted overexpression of CryABR120G in mice induced intracellular aggregate accumulation and systolic heart failure by 12 months. As early as 2 months (well before the earliest declines in cardiac function), we detected robust autophagic activity. To test the functional significance of autophagic activation, we crossed CryABR120G mice with animals harboring heterozygous inactivation of beclin 1, a gene required for autophagy. Blunting autophagy in vivo dramatically hastened heart failure progression with a 3-fold increase in interstitial fibrosis, greater accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins, larger and more extensive intracellular aggregates, accelerated ventricular dysfunction, and early mortality. This study reports activation of autophagy in DRCM. Further, our findings point to autophagy as an adaptive response in this proteotoxic form of heart disease.
Utilization of α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) resistant maize and pea (Pisum sativum) starch in the rat

1. The extent of utilization of α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1)-resistant retrograded starches in vivo was assessed in male Wistar rats (about 100 g body-weight). All animals were given a fibre-free semi-synthetic basal diet (SS) containing sucrose as the only carbohydrate source, ad lib., for 13 d. On day 14, after an overnight fast, rats were allocated to one of five dietary treatments (n 30):1, fibre-free basal SS diet; 2-5, basal SS diet supplemented with 100 g sucrose, Solka floc (cellulose), resistant maize starch (RCS) or resistant pea (Pisum sativum) starch (RPS)/kg diet. Animals allocated to each dietary treatment were divided into three groups of ten rats which were given the appropriate diet for 8 or 9, 17 or 18 and 29 or 30 d (8/9, 17/18 or 29/30 d groups respectively). Rats were fed on 12 g diet/d (treatment 1) or 13.2 g diet/d (treatments 2-5) for the first 20 d, and 14 or 15.4 g/d respectively until the end of the experiment. Rats fed on the supplemented basal diets were thus given 10% more food to allow for the addition of the test carbohydrate. Faecal carbohydrate excretion was determined at intervals in the 17/18 d groups. At the end of each experimental period animals were killed after consuming their daily food ration and small intestinal length, weight of caecal and ileal contents and tissue, and pH of caecal contents measured. The amount of carbohydrate in the caecal and ileal contents from the 8/9 and 17/18 d groups was determined.2. Weights of ileal and caecal contents, caecal tissue and faecal output were significantly greater at all time points for rats fed on the resistant starches compared with those fed on basal and sucrose-supplemented diets. Values were higher for RPS-fed rats than for RCS-fed rats.3. The quantity of carbohydrate recovered from ileal and caecal contents showed that both RCS and RPS were partially digested and absorbed as carbohydrate, but that RPS was digested to a lesser extent.4. The concentration of carbohydrate decreased between the ileal and caecal sites when RPS and RCS were given but was essentially unchanged when cellulose was given. This is consistent with rapid fermentation of a fraction of these starches.5. Faecal carbohydrate elimination in the 17/18 d groups fed on RCS and RPS declined with time, which suggested an adaptive response resulting in increased utilization of the starches. This adaptive response was slower in the RPS-fed rats than the RCS-fed rats.6. The present study indicates that, in the rat, there are significant differences in the utilization of resistant starches from different sources.
Effects of temperature and humidity on hydration and respiration in four strains of Drosophila

Abstract The four strains of Drosophila melanica studied were found to be most sensitive to low humidities during the first 19 hr after formation of the puparium. The mean fresh weights for the four strains were consistently different at all ages after puparium formation and at all conditions of temperature and humidity. The Forest Park strain, which showed greatest mortality at low humidity, had least body water per unit dry weight in the early pupal stage. A typical U-shaped oxygen consumption rate curve was found during the puparial-pharate adult period at all conditions of temperature and humidity. Differences among the strains were manifested at an earlier age under the more extreme environmental conditions.
Functional Response ofColeomegilla maculata(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Colorado Potato Beetle Eggs (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)☆

A comparative study of the functional response ofColeomegilla maculataDeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fourth instars was conducted under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. In the laboratory, individual larvae were placed in 9-cm petri dishes for 24 h, with 1, 3, 5, or 7 Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata[Say]) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) egg masses. Each egg mass was standardized at 15 eggs. In the greenhouse and field,C. maculatalarvae were provided with an equivalent of 0.5 to 35L. decemlineataegg masses/m2of potato leaf. Fourth instars ofC. maculataexhibited a type II functional response toL. decemlineataeggs under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. Predator search efficiency was inversely related with prey density. The maximum mean attack rate (8.7 eggs) byC. maculatalarvae in the field was about half the mean attack rate in the laboratory (17.6 eggs) and greenhouse (20.1 eggs). The difference in prey density between the laboratory and field seems to have been a major contributing factor in determining the rate of predation, whereas differences in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and possible alternate food) may explain the differences observed in the predation rate in the greenhouse and field.
The comparative effectiveness of heart rate biofeedback, speech skills training, and a combination of both in treating public-speaking anxiety

Forty-two speech-anxious undergraduate students (21 female, 21 male) were administered either heart rate biofeedback training, speech skills training, or a combination of both to aid in the alleviation of speech anxiety. Physiological (heart rate, tonic skin conductance level, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure), overt motor, and self-report measures of anxiety were assessed during a pretreatment speech and two posttreatment speeches. Results indicated that all treatments were effective in lowering overt motor and self-report components of anxiety. However, only the biofeedback and combined group subjects demonstrated significantly less heart rate increase while speaking before an audience during the posttreatment assessment. Two individual difference variables examined in this study — cognitive/autonomic focus of anxiety and subjective confidence in treatment — were not found to significantly influence treatment effectiveness. Finally, factor analyses of the physiological data suggested that heart rate changes play a large role in the physiological component of anxiety.
Scintillation Process in CsI(Tl). I. Comparison with Activator Saturation Model

S>The scintillation efficiency of CsI(Tl) crystals, containing varying amounts of Tl, was measured upon excitation by gamma rays, protons, and alpha particles in the kev and Mev region. A-critical test of a previously proposed phenomenological model of the scintillation process in activated alkali halides was provided. In order to achieve this goal, special attention was paid to technical effects that might distort the data, viz., effects dependent on the emission spectrum and the pulse analysis time. It is concluded that the variation of the scintillation efficiency as a function of the stopping power of the incident particie is predicted by the scintillation model when the effect of secondary electrons is taken into account. It is found that the shape of the scintillation efficiency versus dE/dx curve is very nearly independent of Tl concentration. It is concluded from this fact that the decline in scintillation efficiency for highly ionizing particles is not due to saturation of activator centers. (auth)
PYRIDINESELENOLATE COMPLEXES OF COPPER AND INDIUM : PRECURSORS TO CUSEX AND IN2SE3

The pyridineselenolate (2-Se-NC5H4, (SePy)) and the 3-(trimethylsilyl)pyridineselenolate (3-Me3Si-2-Se-NC5H4 (SePy*)) ligands form air-stable homoleptic coordination compounds of Cu(I) { [Cu(SePy)]4 (1) and [Cu(SePy*)]4 (2)} and In(III) {In(SePy)3 (3) and In(SePy*)3 (4)}. Mass spectroscopic characterization of the Cu(I) compounds indicated a tetrametallic core, and this was confirmed with a single-crystal X-ray structural characterization of crystalline 1 and 2, which both contain a tetrametallic cluster of Cu(I) ions bound to two doubly bridging Se atoms and a pyridine nitrogen. The Cu coordination sphere is completed with two strong Cu−Cu bonds and one weaker Cu−Cu interaction. The indium compounds 3 and 4 are each distorted fac-octahedral molecules with chelating SePy ligands. These compounds are useful low-temperature precursors to the binary selenides. Both 3 and 4 sublime intact; 3 thermally decomposes to give In2Se3. The Cu clusters do not sublime intact but still decompose to give metal selenide p...
Regulatory Elements That Control Transcription Activation and Unsaturated Fatty Acid-mediated Repression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae OLE1 Gene

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, unsaturated fatty acids are formed from saturated acyl-CoA precursors by Ole1p, a Δ-9 fatty acid desaturase. OLE1 mRNA levels are differentially regulated by the addition of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids to the growth medium. One component of this regulation system involves the control of OLE1 transcription. Saturated fatty acids induce a 1.6-fold increase in transcription activity, whereas a large family of unsaturated fatty acids repress OLE1 transcription as much as 60-fold. A deletion analysis of OLE1 promoter::lacZ fusion reporter genes identified a 111-base pair (bp) fatty acid-regulated (FAR) region approximately 580 bp upstream of the start codon that is essential for transcription activation and unsaturated fatty acid repression. Deletion of an 88-bp sequence within that region resulted in a complete loss in transcription activation and unsaturated fatty acid regulation. The 111-bp FAR element strongly activates transcription and confers unsaturated fatty acid regulation on a heterologous CYC1 promoter test plasmid. Essential elements required for unsaturated fatty acid repression of OLE1 were found in the 5′ and 3′ region of the 111-bp sequence. The FAR element-mediated activation and fatty acid repression of transcription was found to be closely tied to fatty acyl-CoA metabolism. Two fatty acid activation genes, FAA1 and FAA4, were found to be essential for unsaturated fatty acid repression of OLE1 through the FAR sequences. Disruption of either gene results in reduced levels of unsaturated fatty acid repression; disruption of both genes completely blocks the regulatory response. Acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) plays a role in determining the level of FAR element activated transcription. Disruption of the ACBP gene causes a >5-fold activation of OLE1 transcription and a similar increase in OLE1 mRNA levels. Unsaturated fatty acid repression of OLE1 transcription, however, is not affected by the disrupted ACBP gene. These studies show that promoter elements responsible for unsaturated fatty acid-mediated transcription repression are tightly linked to OLE1 activation sequences and that OLE1 transcription levels are closely tied to acyl-CoA metabolism.
Protecting China's children: valuing the health impacts of reduced air pollution in Chinese cities

As China advances its overall program of economic development, many Chinese cities consistently suffer from unhealthy levels of air pollution. One of the groups most affected is children. This paper provides some quantification regarding the extent of various morbidity costs upon children in portions of urban China. Using China-based health-effects and valuation studies, the authors project, and value in dollar figures, the number of averted cases of childhood colds, bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory-related hospital visits resulting from a lowering of air pollution levels. The results indicate that these child morbidity benefits may be substantial, with a mid-range value of nearly $3.5 billion over the period 2002–2011.
THE ROLE OF AMBIENT LIGHT LEVEL IN FATAL CRASHES: INFERENCES FROM DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME TRANSITIONS

The purpose of this study was to estimate the size of the influence of ambient light level on fatal pedestrian and vehicle crashes in three scenarios. The scenarios were: fatal pedestrian crashes at intersections, fatal pedestrian crashes on dark rural roads, and fatal single-vehicle run-off-road crashes on dark, curved roads. Each scenario's sensitivity to light level was evaluated by comparing the number of fatal crashes across changes to and from daylight saving time, within daily time periods in which an abrupt change in light level occurs relative to official clock time. The analyses included 11 years of fatal crashes in the United States, between 1987 and 1997. Scenarios involving pedestrians were most sensitive to light level, in some cases showing up to seven times more risk at night over daytime. In contrast, single-vehicle run-off-road crashes showed little difference between light and dark time periods, suggesting factors other than light level play the dominant role in these crashes. These results are discussed in the context of the possible safety improvements offered by new developments in adaptive vehicle headlighting.
Management Options to Conserve and Sequester Carbon in the Agricultural Sector of the Former Soviet Union

Several management practices are available to conserve and sequester C in the agricultural sector of the former Soviet Union (FSU). The highest rate of C accumulation would result from the implementation of a no-till management option which will only continue during the first ten years until new C equilibrium is reached. Agroforestry management options provide a longer period for C accumulation, but at a lower rate. It is possible that the longest period of C conservation may be achieved by increasing the area under perennial grasses in the crop rotation. During the first decade of implementation of the management practices, the amount of C conserved or sequestered would be approximately equal to the current rate of net C sequestration in FSU forest sector. At present, agricultural soils and vegetation of the FSU store approximately 120 Pg C; the accumulation of soil organic matter is 0.032 Pg C yr-1. The annual C loss in the FSU agricultural sector was estimated at 0.21 Pg C yr-1.