cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms by which herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase limits translesion synthesis through abasic sites

Abstract Results suggest a high probability that abasic (AP) sites occur at least once per herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome. The parameters that control the ability of HSV-1 DNA polymerase (pol) to engage in AP translesion synthesis (TLS) were examined because AP lesions could influence the completion and fidelity of viral DNA synthesis. Pre-steady-state kinetic experiments demonstrated that wildtype (WT) and exonuclease-deficient (exo − ) pol could incorporate opposite an AP lesion, but full TLS required absence of exo function. Virtually all of the WT pol was bound at the exo site to AP-containing primer-templates (P/Ts) at equilibrium, and the pre-steady-state rate of excision by WT pol was higher on AP-containing than on matched DNA. However, several factors influencing polymerization work synergistically with exo activity to prevent HSV-1 pol from engaging in TLS. Although the pre-steady-state catalytic rate constant for insertion of dATP opposite a T or AP site was similar, ground-state-binding affinity of dATP for insertion opposite an AP site was reduced 3–9-fold. Single-turnover running-start experiments demonstrated a reduced proportion of P/Ts extended to the AP site compared to the preceding site during processive synthesis by WT or exo − pol. Only the exo − pol engaged in TLS, though inefficiently and without burst kinetics, suggesting a much slower rate-limiting step for extension beyond the AP site.
Preparation of dietnylaminoetnyl hollow fibres for high-flow liquid chromatography

A novel anion-exchange column for fast-flow liquid chromatography was developed. The column was prepared by immobilizing diethylaminoethyl groups on to the inner walls of regenerated cellulose hollow fibres. A detailed investigation was conducted of the parameters affecting diethylaminoethyl immobilization such as the NaOH concentration, the reaction temperature, the diethylaminoethyl concentration and the reaction span. Based upon the findings, a protocol to optimize the preparation of the diethylaminoethyl hollow fibres was established. The diethylaminoethyl hollow fibres prepared adsorbed 188 + 30 mg of albumin/g fibres. Ion-exchange chromatography based on porous resins has been used extensively in the separation and purification of proteins and other biomaterials from complex mixtures of proteins'. Unfortunately, due to the restricted physical and mechanical properties of these resins, separation using the resin-bedded column is often hindered by the limited flow rate and operating pressure. This paper presents a new anion-exchange column which can be operated at almost unrestricted flow rates and operating pressures. The column was prepared by immobilizing diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) groups on to regenerated cellulose hollow fibres. The effects of variables such as the concentration of the activating agent (i.e. NaOH), the reaction temperature, the concentration of DEAE in the coupling solution and the reaction span were examined. From the results, a protocol to optimize the preparation of DEAE hollow fibres (DEAE-HFs) was developed. The protocol indicated the use of 0.6 N of NaOH for the activation of the hollow fibres, an NaOH concentration between 0.25 and 0.6 N in the coupling solution, a temperature of 63°C during the pretreatment and the coupling process, 3 g of the amine salt in the coupling solution and four coupling runs during the coupling process. The DEAE-HFs prepared were capable of adsorbing
Role of Aging Versus the Loss of Estrogens in the Reduction in Vascular Function in Female Rats

Although aging is known to lead to increased vascular stiffness, the role of estrogens in the prevention of age-related changes in the vasculature remains to be elucidated. To address this, we measured vascular function in the thoracic aorta in adult and old ovariectomized (ovx) rats with and without immediate 17β-estradiol (E2) replacement. In addition, aortic mRNA and protein were analyzed for proteins known to be involved in vasorelaxation. Aging in combination with the loss of estrogens led to decreased vasorelaxation in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, indicating either smooth muscle dysfunction and/or increased fibrosis. Loss of estrogens led to increased vascular tension in response to phenylephrine, which could be partially restored by E2 replacement. Levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase did not differ among the groups, nor did total nitrite plus nitrate levels. Old ovx exhibited decreased expression of both the α and β-subunits of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and had impaired nitric oxide signaling in the vascular smooth muscle. Immediate E2 replacement in the aged ovx prevented both the impairment in vasorelaxation, and the decreased sGC receptor expression and abnormal sGC signaling within the vascular smooth muscle.
On the Choice Number of Random Hypergraphs

We generalize the notion of choice number from graphs to hypergraphs and estimate the sharp order of magnitude of the choice number of random hypergraphs. It turns out that the choice number and the chromatic number of a random hypergraph have the same order of magnitude, almost surely. Our result implies an earlier bound on the chromatic number of random hypergraphs, proved by Schmidt [23] using a different method.
Subsurface geologic characterization

To fully assess the environmental regime, it is necessary to identify and account for the effects of the surrounding and underlying geology that influence landscape development and geophysical tools. The geologic environment is the result of a complex network of past and present processes, including deposition and weathering by wind, water, and ice, which produce subsurface conditions difficult to interpret without expert geologic characterization and laboratory analysis. The assessment of geologic history consists of a thorough literature review, site reconnaissance and characterization, and laboratory and microscopic analyses.
An Examination of the Sociopolitical History of Chicanos and its Relationship to School Performance

How does a history of discrimination and marginalization affect Chicanos’ perceptions of schooling? This article offers a brief analysis of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo as an instantiation of a historical metanarrative of colonialism. Using a critical theoretical framework, the article explores the destructive impact of this narrative on Chicano youth. Although it is clear that times change, certain essential elements of a colonial relationship remain; they are inescapable for Chicano youth and affect their view of schooling along with their school performance. Furthermore, students’ critical examinations of these metanarratives can empower young people to disrupt predictable educational trajectories. The article concludes with suggestions for creating a caring school culture through a culturally relevant critical pedagogy that empowers students to develop a sense of hope, purpose, and positive identity.
Nineteenth Century British Logic on Hypotheticals, Conditionals, and Implication

Hypotheticals, conditionals, and their connecting relation, implication, dramatically changed their meanings during the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth century. Modern logicians ordinarily do not distinguish between the terms hypothetical and conditional. Yet in the late nineteenth century their meanings were quite different, their ties to the implication relation either were unclear, or the implication relation was used exclusively as a logical operator. I will trace the development of implication as an inference operator from these earlier notions into the first third of the twentieth century using as the starting point the ideas primarily of R. Whately and W. Hamilton before discussing the work of the transitional logicians, A. De Morgan and G. Boole on these topics. Then we discuss the relevant views of four prominent but relatively unknown nineteenth century British logicians, W.E. Johnson, J.N. Keynes, E.E.C. Jones, and H. MacColl, as well as those of the more influential logicians, W.S. ...
Canalicular fluid flow induced by bending of a long bone.

Interstitial fluid flow has been hypothesized to underly mechanotransduction within bone. Here, we present an analytical model of fluid flows induced at the level of osteocyte canaliculi when a long bone is subject to functionally relevant bending loads. Dynamic bending of cortical bone results in a non-uniform longitudinal normal strain environment in which strain magnitude varies both temporally (i.e., at a given location, strain varies as a function of time) and spatio-temporally (i.e., at each given point in time, strain varies between locations). To account for the complexity posed by these two aspects of the strain environment, canalicular fluid flows were decomposed into temporal and spatio-temporal components. In terms of distribution around the cortex, temporal and spatio-temporal flows in the radial direction were both maximal near sites of peak strain magnitude. Spatio-temporal flows in the circumferential direction, in contrast, were maximal near locations of minimal strain magnitude (i.e. near the neutral axis). All fluid flow components were maximal during the first load cycle and reached markedly reduced steady state levels during subsequent load cycles. The novelty of the described model is that it provides the first estimate of canalicular fluid flows induced within a complexly loaded long bone. As the model may be readily extended to provide a simplistic accounting of the fluid flow profiles induced during functional loading and other exogenous loading regimes, the approach will enhance the ability to examine fluid flow related mechanotransduction within bone.
Mössbauer, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, and Density Functional Theory Studies of Synthetic S = 1/2 FeIII−O−FeIV═O Complexes. Superexchange-Mediated Spin Transition at the FeIV═O Site

Previously we have characterized two high-valent complexes [LFeIV(μ-O)2FeIIIL], 1, and [LFeIV(O)(μ-O)(OH) FeIVL], 4. Addition of hydroxide or fluoride to 1 produces two new complexes, 1-OH and 1-F. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Mossbauer studies show that both complexes have an S = 1/2 ground state which results from antiferromagnetic coupling of the spins of a high-spin (Sa = 5/2) FeIII and a high-spin (Sb = 2) FeIV site. 1-OH can also be obtained by a 1-electron reduction of 4, which has been shown to have an FeIV═O site. Radiolytic reduction of 4 at 77 K yields a Mossbauer spectrum identical to that observed for 1-OH, showing that the latter contains an FeIV═O. Interestingly, the FeIV═O moiety has Sb = 1 in 4 and Sb = 2 in 1-OH and 1-F. From the temperature dependence of the S = 1/2 signal we have determined the exchange coupling constant J (ℋ = JŜa·Ŝb convention) to be 90 ± 20 cm−1 for both 1-OH and 1-F. Broken-symmetry density functional theory (DFT) calculations yield J = 135 cm−1 for 1-...
Cognitive effects of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands in the context of drug addiction

Abstract Glutamate plays a pivotal role in regulating drug self-administration and drug-seeking behavior, and the past decade has witnessed a substantial surge of interest in the role of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors) in mediating these behaviors. As will be reviewed here, Group I mGlu receptors are involved in normal and drug-induced synaptic plasticity, drug reward, reinforcement and relapse-like behaviors, and addiction-related cognitive processes such as maladaptive learning and memory, behavioral inflexibility, and extinction learning. Animal models of addiction have revealed that antagonists of Group I mGlu receptors, particularly the mGlu5 receptor, reduce self-administration of virtually all drugs of abuse. Since inhibitors of mGlu5 receptor function have now entered clinical trials for other medical conditions and appear to be well-tolerated, a key question that remains unanswered is — what changes in cognition are produced by these compounds that result in reduced drug intake and drug-seeking behavior? Finally, in contrast to mGlu5 receptor antagonists, recent studies have indicated that positive allosteric modulation of mGlu5 receptors actually enhances synaptic plasticity and improves various aspects of cognition, including spatial learning, behavioral flexibility, and extinction of drug-seeking behavior. Thus, while inhibition of Group I mGlu receptor function may reduce drug reward, reinforcement, and relapse-related behaviors, positive allosteric modulation of the mGlu5 receptor subtype may actually enhance cognition and potentially reverse some of the cognitive deficits associated with chronic drug use.
Learning Image Anchor Templates for Document Classification and Data Extraction

Image anchor templates are used in document image analysis for document classification, data localization, and other tasks. Current tools allow human operators to mark out small sub-images from documents to act as anchor templates. However, this requires time, and expertise because operators have to make informed decisions based on behavior of the template matching algorithms, and the expected degradations patterns in documents. We propose learning templates for a task automatically and quickly from a few training examples. Document classification or data localization can be done more robustly by combining evidence from many more discriminating templates (e.g., hundreds) than would be practicable for operators to specify.
Robust multicarrier spread spectrum technique for data transmission over partially jammed channels

Multicarrier spread spectrum (MC-SS) is an alternative to the conventional spread spectrum (SS) techniques that behaves significantly better when the system is subject to narrowband or partial-band interference. However successful implementation of the optimum detector requires knowledge of noise and interference variance in each subcarrier band. In this correspondence, we propose a suboptimal detector for MC-SS that keeps the significant gain of MC-SS over the conventional SS, with a relatively low loss compared to the optimum MC-SS detector. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations that corroborate the theory are presented.
Drugs and the Law: A Psychological Analysis of Drug Prohibition

There is an ongoing American policy debate about the appropriate legal status for psychoactive drugs. Prohibition, decriminalization, and legalization positions are all premised on assumptions about the behavioral effects of drug laws. What is actually known and not known about these effects is reviewed. Rational-choice models of legal compliance suggest that criminalization reduces use through restricted drug availability, increased drug prices, and the deterrent effect of the risk of punishment. Research on these effects illustrates the need for a more realistic perspective that acknowledges the limitations of human rationality and the importance of moral reasoning and informal social control factors. There are at least 7 different mechanisms by which the law influences drug use, some of which are unintended and counterproductive. This framework is used to explore the potential behavioral effects of decriminalization and legalization.
Mineral Composition of Normal Human Enamel and Dentin and the Relation of Composition to Dental Caries: II. Microminerals:

Microminerals including fluorine, iodine, iron, aluminum, selenium, manganese, copper, zinc, strontium, lead, and cobalt were determined in the enamel and dentin portions of permanent, sound teeth from 175 patients in Virginia. Neutron activation and atomic absorption were used in the analyses. Concentration of the elements was related to tooth portion, age, and sex of the patient.
Distributed hybrid earthquake engineering experiments: experiences with a ground-shaking grid application

Earthquake engineers have traditionally investigated the behavior of structures with either computational simulations or physical experiments. Recently, a new hybrid approach has been proposed that allows tests to be decomposed into independent substructures that can be located at different test facilities, tested separately, and integrated via a computational simulation. We describe a grid-based architecture for performing such novel distributed hybrid computational/physical experiments. We discuss the requirements that underlie this extremely challenging application of grid technologies, describe our architecture and implementation, and discuss our experiences with the application of this architecture within an unprecedented earthquake engineering test that coupled large-scale physical experiments in Illinois and Colorado with a computational simulation. Our results point to the remarkable impacts that grid technologies can have on the practice of engineering, and also contribute to our understanding of how to build and deploy effective grid applications.
Charge Movement Associated with the Opening and Closing of the Activation Gates of the Na Channels

The sodium current (INa) that develops after step depolarization of a voltage clamped squid axon is preceded by a transient outward current that is closely associated with the opening of the activation gates of the Na pores. This "gating current" is best seen when permeant ions (Na and K) are replaced by relatively impermeant ones, and when the linear portion of capacitative current is eliminated by adding current from positive steps to that from exactly equal negative ones. During opening of the Na pores gating current is outward, and as the pores close there is an inward tail of current that decays with approximately the same time-course as INa recorded in Na-containing medium. Both outward and inward gating current are unaffected by tetrodotoxin (TTX). Gating current is capacitative in origin, the result of relatively slow reorientation of charged or dipolar molecules in a suddenly altered membrane field. Close association with the Na activation process is clear from the time-course of gating current, and from the fact that three procedures that reversibly block INa also block gating current: internal perfusion with Zn2+, prolonged depolarization of the membrane, and inactivation of INa with a short positive prepulse.
Global pairwise sequence alignment through mixed-integer linear programming: a template-free approach

The problem of protein sequence alignment is the main starting point for biological analysis of genomic information. A new approach to global pairwise sequence alignment is proposed. This approach is formulated in a mathematically rigorous way, as a mixed integer linear optimization (MILP) problem. Not only does the proposed formulation guarantee the identification of the global optimal alignment, but it also allows for a complete rank-ordered list of any number of user specified top ranking pairwise alignments and for the incorporation of restraints based on restrictions necessary to maintain biological function. This approach has been applied to the alignment of transmembrane helices and serine proteases to demonstrate its utility and advantages over other algorithms.
The Effect of Interruptions and Dyad Gender Combination on Perceptions of Interpersonal Dominance

The argument put forth in this study is that interruptions and dyad gender combinations will have an effect on perceptions of interpersonal dominance. Participants were asked to listen to a series of recorded dialogues with six intentionally embedded intrusive interruptions. After each pair of interruptions, participants completed a survey measuring their perception of the interrupter's interpersonal dominance. Analyses showed that the accrual of interruptions results in a curvilinear increase in perceptions of dominance. Female interrupters in a female/female dyad were consistently perceived as the most dominant and male interrupters in a male/female dyad were consistently perceived as the least dominant.
Hepatitis B infection: Pathogenesis and management

Although hepatitis B is an ancient disease, most of the advances in our knowledge of its epidemiology, prevention, pathogenesis, natural history and treatment were made in the last 30 years. The prospect of global eradication of HBV infection within the next 50 years is technologically possible but implementation of worldwide vaccination against hepatitis B will require significantly more time to overcome the social and economic hurdles. While there is reasonable optimism that HBV infection will be eradicated, there are currently 300 million HBV carriers worldwide who are at risk of dying from liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma, and there will continue to be new cases of HBV infection for many more years. Thus, HBV infection cannot be considered to be a health problem of the past. The focus of hepatitis B research at the turn of the millenium will be the development of more effective therapies that can be applied to all patients with chronic HBV infection. These treatments need to be effective in inhibiting HBV DNA synthesis and in eliminating ccc DNA. They may involve monotherapy with more potent antiviral agents that do not induce resistance, but are more likely to require a combination of antiviral agents or antiviral and immunomodulatory agents. These treatments must be safe, convenient to administer, and affordable. It is likely that new therapies with increasing efficacy will be available in the next one to two decades and combination therapy will be used widely by 2010. These treatments will induce sustained remission in the majority of patients who can afford them but provision of treatment to all those who need them will be more difficult. Other areas of hepatitis B that need to be addressed are the prevalence of occult HBV infection, the changing epidemiology and clinical significance of HBV variants, in particular the A1896 mutant, and the mechanisms of immune clearance and pathogenesis.
Effect of Processing Parameters on the Morphology of Hydrothermally Derived PbTiO3 Powders

The influence of processing parameters on the growth and morphology of hydrothermally derived lead titanate (PbTiO3) powders was investigated. PbTiO3 powder was synthesized by suspending nanocrystalline powders of TiO2 in aqueous solutions of KOH and Pb(CH3COO)2·3H2O at temperatures ranging from 120° to 200°C. PbTiO3 growth initiated in the exposing the (001) surfaces and resulting in a faceted platelet morphology. Particle growth proceeded by further nucleation and growth on existing (001) surfaces. Through repeated dissolution and precipitation, the platelet clusters coarsened into larger cuboidal particles. PbTiO3 particle size was controlled by either inhibiting or promoting dissolution-precipitation. Dissolution-precipitation was inhibited by lowering the KOH concentration or the reaction temperature, or maintaining an excess of lead ions in solution, while it was promoted by increasing the KOH concentration and temperature. Coarsening of PbTiO3 particles coincided with decreases in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak breadth, the asymmetry of lcomponent XRD reflections, and the c-axis length.
Your resting brain CAREs about your risky behavior.

Background: Research on the neural correlates of risk-related behaviors and personality traits has provided insight into mechanisms underlying both normal and pathological decision-making. Task-based neuroimaging studies implicate a distributed network of brain regions in risky decision-making. What remains to be understood are the interactions between these regions and their relation to individual differences in personality variables associated with real-world risk-taking. Methodology/Principal Findings: We employed resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) and resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) methods to investigate differences in the brain’s intrinsic functional architecture associated with beliefs about the consequences of risky behavior. We obtained an individual measure of expected benefit from engaging in risky behavior, indicating a risk seeking or risk-averse personality, for each of 21 participants from whom we also collected a series of R-fMRI scans. The expected benefit scores were entered in statistical models assessing the RSFC of brain regions consistently implicated in both the evaluation of risk and reward, and cognitive control (i.e., orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, lateral prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate). We specifically focused on significant brainbehavior relationships that were stable across R-fMRI scans collected one year apart. Two stable expected benefit-RSFC relationships were observed: decreased expected benefit (increased risk-aversion) was associated with 1) stronger positive functional connectivity between right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and right insula, and 2) weaker negative functional connectivity between left nucleus accumbens and right parieto-occipital cortex. Conclusions/Significance: Task-based activation in the IFG and insula has been associated with risk-aversion, while activation in the nucleus accumbens and parietal cortex has been associated with both risk seeking and risk-averse tendencies. Our results suggest that individual differences in attitudes toward risk-taking are reflected in the brain’s functional architecture and may have implications for engaging in real-world risky behaviors.
Scene-space Feature Detectors

Derivative, spectral, and other operators implemented in filter kernels and applied with convolution have been well studied in image recognition problems. We explore in this paper a novel system that applies such filters in the actual 3D scene. The system projects images of filters into the scene as controlled illumination. The projected filters are subjected to object surface reflectance (BRDF) and scene composition; and the filter response is captured by camera pixels. Our approach utilizes a pixel-based convolution formulation, exploiting the intrinsic integration performed by individual pixel sensors and diffraction-limited optics. For example, we project a grid of Gaussian derivative filters as images and simply retrieve a filter response as a pixel value. This is a local (pixel-only) computation that is not limited by camera resolution. Our system can serve as a front-end to existing techniques for surface or geometry estimation from texture analysis. A projector and camera pair is the basic equipment requirement.
Surface structure analysis of atomically smooth BaBiO 3 Films

Using low-energy time-of-flight scattering and recoil spectroscopy TOFSARS and mass spectroscopy of recoiled ions MSRI we analyze the surface structure of an atomically smooth BaBiO3 film grown by mo- lecular beam epitaxy. We demonstrate high sensitivity of the TOFSARS and MSRI spectra to slight changes in the orientation of the ion scattering plane with respect to the crystallographic axes. The observed angle dependence allows us to clearly identify the termination layer as BiO2. Our data also indicate that angle- resolved MSRI data can be used for high-resolution studies of the surface structure of complex oxide thin films. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.201402 PACS numbers: 68.03.Hj, 68.47.Gh, 68.49.Sf, 81.15.Hi Introduction. The plethora of remarkable electrical and magnetic properties of transition metal oxides made them both a focus of basic research and very appealing candidates for integration in electronic devices. For the latter, it is im- portant to reproducibly synthesize and characterize atomi- cally perfect surfaces and interfaces. However, this goal is difficult to attain in complex oxides because of the compli- cated phase diagrams and high sensitivity to growth conditions. 1 This explains the large disparity between what is known about the structure of the very top atomic layers in these materials compared to widely used semiconductor or metal surfaces. In this work we provide a different route to circumvent these problems. This is done by combining the power of atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy ALLMBE, 2 enabling production of films with perfect surfaces, with the extreme surface sensitivity of the low-energy time-of-flight scattering and recoil spectroscopy 3,4 TOFSARS and the mass spectroscopy of recoiled ions 5 MSRI techniques. Angle-resolved AR TOFSARS could determine in prin- ciple interatomic spacings with a resolution approaching 0.01 A, comparable to lateral values obtained in surface x-ray crystallography, and even better in the direction per- pendicular to the surface. 4 This comparison is to be judged also from the perspective of having a table-top experimental setup as opposed to the requirement of very intense synchro-
Vermicompost extracts influence growth, mineral nutrients, phytonutrients and antioxidant activity in pak choi (Brassica rapa cv. Bonsai, Chinensis group) grown under vermicompost and chemical fertiliser.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have been reported on the effect of compost tea on suppression of certain plant diseases. However, relatively little work has been done to investigate the effect of vermicompost tea on yield and nutritional quality of vegetable crops. In this study, experiments were conducted to determine the effect of extraction method on vermicompost tea quality and subsequent effects on growth, mineral nutrients, phytonutrients and antioxidant activity of pak choi plants grown under organic (vermicompost) and synthetic (Osmocote) fertilisation. Three vermicompost teas obtained by different extractionmethods,namelynon-aeratedvermicomposttea(NCT),aeratedvermicomposttea(ACT)andaeratedvermicompost tea augmented with microbial enhancer (ACTME), were applied to the plants. Aerated water served as control. RESULTS: Mineral nutrients were significantly higher in ACTME compared with other teas, but total microbial population and activity did not differ with extraction method. All vermicompost teas similarly enhanced plant production, mineral nutrients and total carotenoids, and this effect was most prominent under organic fertilisation. Antioxidant activity and total phenolics were higher under organic compared with synthetic fertilisation. Vermicompost teas generally decreased phenolics under organic fertilisation and increased them under synthetic fertilisation compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The effect of vermicompost tea on crop growth is largely attributable to mineral nutrient, particularly N, uptake by plants. Non-significant differences among extraction methods on plant response within fertiliser regimes suggest that aeration and additives are not necessary for growth promotion and nutrient quality under the conditions reported here. c � 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Peptide Secondary Structure Folding Reaction Coordinate: Correlation between UV Raman Amide III Frequency, Ψ Ramachandran Angle, and Hydrogen Bonding

We used UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy to quantitatively correlate the peptide bond AmIII3 frequency to its Ψ Ramachandran angle and to the number and types of amide hydrogen bonds at different temperatures. This information allows us to develop a family of relationships to directly estimate the Ψ Ramachandran angle from measured UVRR AmIII3 frequencies for peptide bonds (PBs) with known hydrogen bonding (HB). These relationships ignore the more modest Φ Ramachandran angle dependence and allow determination of the Ψ angle with a standard error of ±8°, if the HB state of a PB is known. This is normally the case if a known secondary structure motif is studied. Further, if the HB state of a PB in water is unknown, the extreme alterations in such a state could additionally bias the Ψ angle by ±6°. The resulting ability to measure Ψ spectroscopically will enable new incisive protein conformational studies, especially in the field of protein folding. This is because any attempt to understand reaction me...
Morphine sulfate concomitantly decreases neuronal differentiation and opioid receptor expression in mouse embryonic stem cells

Opioids have been shown to affect prenatal and postnatal neural development in mammals. The present study investigates the impact of morphine sulfate (MS) treatment on neuronal differentiation as well as μ-opioid receptor (MOR) expression in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. Stem cells were manipulated in culture to differentiate in 3 sequential stages: Stage 1, cell transformation to embryoid bodies (EB); Stage 2, EB cell differentiation to neural progenitor (NP) cells; and, Stage 3, NP cell differentiation to neurons/astrocytes co-cultured cells. Using RT-PCR and flow cytometry analyses, cell types were confirmed by monitoring expression of Oct4, nestin, microtubule-associated protein 2 (mtap-2), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as cell-specific markers for stem cells, NP cells, neurons, and astrocytes, respectively. Similarly, gene expression for MOR, κ-opioid receptor (KOR), and δ-opioid receptor (DOR) was confirmed in each cell type. In order to investigate the effects of MS on differentiation, cells were treated with MS (1, 10, 100 μM) at either early (Stage 1) or late (Stage 3) stage of cellular differentiation. At Stage 1 exposure, MOR gene expression and neuroectoderm specific marker expression of nestin were down-regulated in both EB and NP cells. In addition, the opioid down-regulated GFAP in differentiated neurons/astrocytes co-cultured cells. Late stage treatment with MS resulted in a down-regulation of mtap-2 and GFAP in differentiated neurons/astrocytes co-cultured cells. Moreover, late stage treatment with MS and naltrexone inhibited the effect of MS on neuronal differentiation, suggesting that MS treatment interferes with differentiation via MOR activation. Together, the results show that MS exposure at early and late stage of cellular differentiation significantly decreases genotype and phenotype in differentiated neuronal cells. The results of this study have implications regarding the potential effect of opiates on fetal brain development.
Postnatal outcomes of prenatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX

High quality information is critical for informed decision-making in pregnancy following a prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy. The goal of this study was to define the spectrum of outcomes in patients with prenatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX mosaic Turner syndrome in order to provide a better basis for genetic counseling at the time of intrauterine diagnosis. Phenotype data for twenty-five patients with prenatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX mosaicism were collected by retrospective chart review and, when possible, semi-structured telephone interview. Existing data from a cohort of 58 patients with postnatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX mosaicism were used for comparison. Relative to those diagnosed postnatally, prenatal patients were more likely to have normal growth and normal secondary sexual development, less likely to manifest distinctive Turner syndrome features such as nuchal webbing and edema, and had significantly fewer renal defects. These differences underscore the need for a nuanced approach to prenatal counseling in cases of 45,X/46,XX mosaicism.
Techniques for Rearing the Corn Earworm, Heliothis zea

A method for rearing the corn earworm ( Heliothis zea (Boddie)) is described and the importance of a cloth surface for images to cling to after emergence and during wing expansion is emphasized. It is apparent that the main difficulties in rearing the corn earworm involve its unpredictable mating habits in the laboratory. In order to meet the requirement for an average incidence of mating in this species the following factors should be considered: (1) A fresh supply of 10% honey solution should be kept in the cage. (2) Light intensity should be 1 foot-candle or below and a villous oviposition surface furnished. (3) The cage temperature should be kept below 80., preferably somewhere between 73° to 80°F. (4) Humidity should be high, 90% or above. (5) The larval food should be kept as fresh as possible.
LIMIT ANALYSIS SOLUTIONS OF EARTH PRESSURE PROBLEMS

ABSTRACT The upper bound technique of limit analysis is used to obtain rationally founded solutions to the active and passive limit earth pressures for a cohesionless soil retained by a rigid wall of varying roughness. These results are found to favorably agree with known solutions including those obtained by slip-line methods. The formulation is based on a treatment of the soil as a perfectly plastic medium obeying the Mohr-Coulomb yield condition. Several failure mechanisms composed of rigid bodies and radial shearing zones are studied. A new circular shearing zone for finite soil friction, is also developed. Considerable solution improvement for passive pressures on rough walls is obtained. The necessary formulation for cohesive soils and surcharge loading, is also given.
Laser assisted molecular beam deposition of thin films of polymeric copperphthalocyanine and their characterization

Thin films of polymeric copperphthalocyanine were fabricated via laser assisted molecular beam deposition by reacting the laser ablated plasma flume of a copper target with 1,2,3,5-tetracyanobenzene entrained within a molecular beam expansion. 1,2,4,5-Tetracyanobenzene entrained within a helium carrier gas was supersonically expanded to intercept a second expansion containing gas-phase aggregates of metallic copper. These two molecular beams met at a point between the target and the substrate producing gas phase polymeric copperphthalocyanine which could be then directly deposited as a thin film coating on room temperature substrates. Such films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and uv-visible, infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic techniques. Optical spectra of films dissolved in H2SO4 solutions reveal that small amounts of monomeric copperphthalocyanine is also present in the grown films. All the copper in these films is found to be in Cu+2 ionization state.
Transpleural Ventilation via Spiracles in Severe Emphysema Increases Alveolar Ventilation.

In emphysema airway resistance can exceed collateral airflow resistance, causing air to flow preferentially through collateral pathways. In severe emphysema ventilation through openings directly through the chest wall into the parenchyma (spiracles) could bypass airway obstruction and increase alveolar ventilation via transpleural expiration. During lung transplant operations, spiracles occasionally can occur inadvertently. We observed transpleural expiration via spiracles in three subjects undergoing lung transplant for emphysema. During transpleural spiracle ventilation, inspiratory tidal volumes (TV) were unchanged; however, expiration was entirely transpleural in two patients whereas the expired TV to the ventilator circuit was reduced to 25% of the inspired TV in one. At baseline, mean PCO2 was 61 ± 5 mm Hg, which decreased to a mean PCO2 of 49 ± 5 mm Hg (P = .05) within minutes after transpleural spiracle ventilation and further decreased at 1 to 2 h (36 ± 4 mm Hg; P = .002 compared with baseline) on unchanged ventilator settings. This observation of increased alveolar ventilation supports further studies of spiracles as a possible therapy for advanced emphysema.
Successful Treatment of Keratosis Pilaris Rubra with Pulsed Dye Laser.

Background Keratosis pilaris rubra is a common but rarely reported condition characterized by follicular-based hyperkeratotic papules on a background of erythema. It can be embarrassing and symptomatic for patients, particularly adolescent boys. We sought to explore the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of keratosis pilaris rubra. Methods Eight patients were treated with PDL for keratosis pilaris rubra. Results All patients reported noticeable improvement after one to four treatments. Conclusions PDL is an effective, easily accessible, and underused therapy in the treatment of keratosis pilaris rubra.
SU-F-SPS-03: Direct Measurement of Organ Doses Resulting From Head and Cervical Spine Trauma CT Protocols

Purpose: This retrospective study analyzes the exposure history of emergency department (ED) patients undergoing head and cervical spine trauma computed tomography (CT) studies. This study investigated dose levels received by trauma patients and addressed any potential concerns regarding radiation dose issues. Methods: Under proper IRB approval, a cohort of 300 trauma cases of head and cervical spine trauma CT scans received in the ED was studied. The radiological image viewing software of the hospital was used to view patient images and image data. The following parameters were extracted: the imaging history of patients, the reported dose metrics from the scanner including the volumetric CT Dose Index (CTDIvol) and Dose Length Product (DLP). A postmortem subject was scanned using the same scan techniques utilized in a standard clinical head and cervical spine trauma CT protocol with 120 kVp and 280 mAs. The CTDIvol was recorded for the subject and the organ doses were measured using optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) dosimeters. Typical organ doses to the brain, thyroid, lens, salivary glands, and skin, based on the cadaver studies, were then calculated and reported for the cohort. Results: The CTDIvol reported by the CT scanner was 25.5 mGy for the postmortem subject. The average CTDIvol from the patient cohort was 34.1 mGy. From these metrics, typical average organ doses in mGy were found to be: Brain (44.57), Thyroid (33.40), Lens (82.45), Salivary Glands (61.29), Skin (47.50). The imaging history of the cohort showed that on average trauma patients received 26.1 scans over a lifetime. Conclusion: The average number of scans received on average by trauma ED patients shows that radiation doses in trauma patients may be a concern. Available dose tracking software would be helpful to track doses in trauma ED patients, highlighting the importance of minimizing unnecessary scans and keeping doses ALARA.
Potentiometric Glucose Sensor: Enzymatic Activity and Potentiometric Measurements

The development of a sensor to continuously monitor in vivo glucose levels, without the need to remove samples, is at present a major area of diabetes research. In vitro studies in our laboratory, have shown that changes in glucose concentrations can be measured potentiometrically by using either glucose oxidase (GOD) (1) or GOD/catalase (2) enzyme electrodes. However, reproducibility of these electrodes has been a problem. Recently, we examined several parameters associated with the fabrication of the enzyme electrodes. This paper presents some of the data obtained in this investigation.
A Multicultural View of Conflict Management Styles: Review and Critical Synthesis

This chapter reviews the literature on conflict management and critically analyzes it from a cultural point of view. Cross-cultural conflict style theorists have accepted Blake and Mouton’s (1964) two-dimensional framework without due caution, and they invariably cite that framework as the basis for their own work. Given the general assumption of the desirability of direct confrontation of conflicts, it is not surprising that researchers have conceptualized avoidance styles as reflective of low concern for self as well as for the other. This assumption is taken so much for granted in individualist cultures that it has rarely been stated explicitly. The individualist assumption that overt conflict resolution is better than avoidance has led to a focus on only certain aspects of conflict resolution and has resulted in ignorance about, or misinterpretation of, alternative conflict management styles. The authors propose a framework for explaining why people of different cultural identities tend to approach an...
Five Easy Questions

The purpose of this chapter is to provoke useful thinking about the future of management education, or, more precisely, about the high-end segment of management education. Given that one cannot suggest where management education should focus without considering the nature of the leadership challenges for the balance of this challenging century, my intended audience includes both fellow deans and faculty members at the top business schools as well as aspiring leaders in all sectors.
Chapter 64 – 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and Resolvins Improve Immunity to Amyloid-β in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients respond to stimulation by exogenous soluble or fibrillar Aβ42 not only by inflammatory activation but also by defective phagocytosis of amyloid-β (Aβ42). The deregulation of Aβ phagocytosis and inflammation in the brain contribute to the pathophysiology of AD, including brain amyloidosis, neuronal demise, and congophilic angiopathy. Two small molecules, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) and resolvin D1 (RvD1), improve innate immune cell function against Aβ42 and attenuate inflammation. In macrophages, 1,25D3 signals through the 1,25D3 receptors, the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), and protein disulfide isomerase A3 (PDIA3), while RvD1 signaling requires the G-protein–coupled receptor 32 (GPR32). 1,25D3 is neuroprotective directly in neurons and indirectly by improving phagocytosis of Aβ by macrophages/microglia and regulating inflammation. Resolvins and neuroprotectins inhibit amyloidogenic processing of amyloid-precursor protein, expression of inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and increase phagocytosis of Aβ42. This review highlights the role of adequate supplementation with vitamin D3 and fish oil in protection of the brain against Aβ42-induced neurodegeneration. 1,25D3 and RvD1 have properties of “magic bullets” normalizing inflammation and increasing Aβ42 phagocytosis.
Evaluation of the Altair Centrifugal Jig for Fine Coal Separation

A significant effort has been made during the past decade to develop gravity separators for treating fine particles. As a result, several enhanced gravity separators have been developed and commercialized. The Altair Centrifugal Jig is an enhanced gravity separator that provides relatively efficient separations on +25 μm size fractions. An experimental program conducted on −600 μm coal found that the Altair Jig reduced the ash content of the 600×44 urn material from about 30% to 10% with an 86% combustible recovery value. The pulse water pressure, feed volumetric rate and ragging volume were found to be the key operating parameters affecting the separation performance indices obtained from the process. A low density cut point of 1.55 with a probable error value of 0.09 was indicative of the high process efficiency values achievable by the Altair Jig.
Systems Genetics Analysis of Iron and Its Regulation in Brain and Periphery.

Abstract In this contribution, we demonstrate the utility of the systems genetics-systems biology approach to the study of iron regulation while employing a comprehensive database. We describe our work in iron regulation in the brain and periphery under normal iron and iron-restricted dietary conditions in the BXD family of recombinant inbred mouse strains. Using multiple measures, we showed wide variation among the strains in the effect of being fed an iron-restricted diet for 100 days in every measure from brain and from the periphery. All data were entered into GeneNetwork ( www.genenetwork.org ), a database that contains genotypic, phenotypic, and gene expression data (Rosen et al., Methods Mol Biol 401:287-303, 2007). Using this resource, we were able to ask the following four questions concerning possible candidate genes underlying our measures: (1) what is the range of response for each of the measures? (2) Does the pattern of variability show continuous (additive genetic) or discrete (Mendelian) distribution across strains? (3) Are there genetic markers that are associated with the variability in the measures? (4) Are there genes in near the markers that contain associated allelic differences, and whose expression is related to the variability in the measures? Other questions that we could address include: (5) what is the association among the measures between the sexes? (6) What is the association among the measures, e.g., is liver iron status under the diets related to brain iron? (7) What is the relationship between our measures and other phenotypic parameters-i.e., is there an association between our brain iron measures and neurochemical phenotypes extant in the database? And finally, (8) are there gene networks that underlie single or combined measures?