cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deficient dopamine D2 receptor function causes renal inflammation independently of high blood pressure.

Renal dopamine receptors participate in the regulation of blood pressure. Genetic factors, including polymorphisms of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) are associated with essential hypertension, but the mechanisms of their contribution are incompletely understood. Mice lacking Drd2 (D2−/−) have elevated blood pressure, increased renal expression of inflammatory factors, and renal injury. We tested the hypothesis that decreased dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) function increases vulnerability to renal inflammation independently of blood pressure, is an immediate cause of renal injury, and contributes to the subsequent development of hypertension. In D2−/− mice, treatment with apocynin normalized blood pressure and decreased oxidative stress, but did not affect the expression of inflammatory factors. In mouse RPTCs Drd2 silencing increased the expression of TNFα and MCP-1, while treatment with a D2R agonist abolished the angiotensin II-induced increase in TNF-α and MCP-1. In uni-nephrectomized wild-type mice, selective Drd2 silencing by subcapsular infusion of Drd2 siRNA into the remaining kidney produced the same increase in renal cytokines/chemokines that occurs after Drd2 deletion, increased the expression of markers of renal injury, and increased blood pressure. Moreover, in mice with two intact kidneys, short-term Drd2 silencing in one kidney, leaving the other kidney undisturbed, induced inflammatory factors and markers of renal injury in the treated kidney without increasing blood pressure. Our results demonstrate that the impact of decreased D2R function on renal inflammation is a primary effect, not necessarily associated with enhanced oxidant activity, or blood pressure; renal damage is the cause, not the result, of hypertension. Deficient renal D2R function may be of clinical relevance since common polymorphisms of the human DRD2 gene result in decreased D2R expression and function.
Hemangioendothelioma of the cavernous sinus: case report.

Objective and importance Hemangioendothelioma is an uncommon vascular neoplasm, and its intracranial occurrence is extremely rare. The occurrence of such a tumor within the cavernous sinus has not been reported previously. Clinical presentation We report a 36-year-old woman who presented with right-sided retro-orbital pain and diplopia caused by a right sixth nerve paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion within the right inferior cavernous sinus. Intervention The tumor was excised completely via an orbitozygomatic approach. Conclusion Hemangioendothelioma is a rare, indolent vascular tumor, and its characteristics are reviewed. The need for complete excision is emphasized, and the advantages of the orbitozygomatic approach for the removal of tumors of the cavernous sinus is discussed.
Identification of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in isolated canine lingual epithelia via voltage clamp measurements.

Abstract Acetylcholine (ACh), muscarine and methacholine all decreased the short-circuit current (I sc ) measured across isolated canine lingual epithelia bathed in symmetrical solutions of Krebs-Henseleit buffer when added to the serosal, but not mucosal, solutions. Atropine inhibited the ACh-induced decrease in I sc whereas serosal solutions of 1 mM hexamethonium or 1 mM nicotine did not. Addition of a membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP also reduced I sc and, in the presence of this analogue, the decrease in I sc produced by ACh was markedly reduced. These data suggested the presence of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the serosal membranes of isolated canine lingual epithelia. The decrease in I sc induced by ACh may involve the inhibition of Ba 2+ -inhibitable K + currents, as the addition of 100 μM BaCl 2 to the serosal solution inhibited I sc and also completely inhibited the response produced by ACh. These findings suggest that responses of sensory fibres in lingual epithelia elicited by ACh may involve an interaction of ACh with epithelial cells rather than a direct interaction of ACh with receptors on sensory nerves.
Biochemical and functional properties of protein C and protein S

Mammen et al [I] were the first to describe a protein that inhibited the activation of prothrombin by Factor Xa. The protein, termed autoprothrombin II-A, was also found to activate the fibrinolytic pathway. Several years later, a new vitamin K-dependent protein, termed protein C, was isolated from barium citrate eluates of bovine plasma [2,3]. Using immunological approaches, Seegers et al [4] demonstrated that autopro~ombin II-A was an activated form of protein C. Kisiel et al [5] demonstrated that protein C could be activated by thrombin and the purified Factor X activator from Russel’s viper venom. The activated molecule possessed anticoagulant activity, which was soon recognized to result from limited proteolysis of Factor V and Factor VIII [6,7]. The sig~fic~ce of protein C and the protein C pathway in the regulation of coagulation was established by three key observations. The first was the discovery of the physiological activation mechanism. Soon after the discovery of protein C, it was recognized that the activation rate of protein C by thrombin was far too slow for thrombin alone to be a viable in vivo activator of the anticoagulant pathway. The search for potential in vivo activators of protein C led to the discovery of a cofactor, t~ombomodulin, that greatly facilitates the activation of protein C by thrombin [8,9]. The potent in vitro anticoagulant activity of activated protein C (APC) suggested that a deficiency of this protein might be associated with thrombosis and a second key observation was the documentation by Griffin et al [lo] of a protein C deficiency in a family whose affected members experience recurrent thrombosis. Since this first study associating congenital protein C deficiency with t~ombotic disease, a number of studies have unfixed the association of hereditary protein C deficiency and venous thrombotic disease. A third key observation was the identification of an essential cofactor molecule that functions in this pathway. Walker [ll] was the first to recognize that the rate of Factor Va
The effect of T-DNA copy number, position and methylation on reporter gene expression in tobacco transformants.

Inter-transformant variability in the expression of introduced genes was studied in the R1 and R2 generations of 10 tobacco transformants, produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In replicated and physiologically equivalent material, tranformants showed considerable variability in the expression of the reporter gene uidA as shown by transcript levels and β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity. However, homozygous R2 material could be investigated for seven of the transformants and among these, and in one line in which two inserts could segregate independently, this inter-transformant variability was reduced to simple bimodal expression. The two levels of expression for GUS activity in leaves were high or low (approximately 2.5 or 0.3 nmol cm-2 min-1 respectively), with no continuous variation. Transformants in the high group had single T-DNA insertions, while those in the low group had multiple T-DNA insertions, at the same or different loci. Within each group, although T-DNA was apparently integrated at different sites in the plant genome, there was no evidence of position effects. GUS activity levels of the transformants were very similar in the field and in environmentally controlled conditions under high or low light. Plants with multiple insertions and low expression also tended to have increased methylation of the integrated T-DNA.
Routine assessment of the particle size-weight distribution of urban aerosols

Abstract A sampling method for measuring the aerodynamic particle size-weight distribution of atmospheric suspended particulates is described. The method should prove valuable for routine use by control agencies, where rugged instruments and simple sampling procedures are required. An entry cover designed to simulate the aerosol entry conditions of the high volume sampler used in the National Air Sampling Network (NASN) was mounted to a 6 stage Andersen cascade impactor with back-up filter. The system maintained a constant sampling flow rate (1 cfm) over a 24-hr period using a critical orifice and a durable high efficiency vacuum pump. The amount of material collected on each of the 6 impaction plates and the membrane back-up filter were weighed to establish the aerodynamic particle size-weight distribution of an atmospheric aerosol.
Partial Spectral Expansions for Problems in Thermal Convection

The use of spectral expansions for solving nonlinear partial differential equations is explained, and two examples drawn from convective heat transfer are presented. For both problems the results agree well with regular perturbation solutions at parameter values for which the latter remain valid. Evidence is given to indicate that the spectral solutions are valid for considerably larger parameter values than can be reached with the perturbation methods.
Difficulties in urethral catheterization

Abstract Urethral catheterization of the male patient may at times become a very difficult procedure, and if not skillfully done, it may result in serious consequences to the patient. The anatomy of the urethra should be carefully borne in mind, as false passages are most commonly made in the floor of the bulbous urethra, due to the laxity of the floor of the bulbous urethra and its position in relation to the external sphincter and the fixed prostatic urethra. It is always well to attempt to hug the roof of the urethra with the urethral instrument. Relaxation of the patient is most important and is best secured by gentleness of manipulation. If necessary, morphine should be employed. A well-selected group of the various types of catheters and a knowledge of when and how to use them will nearly always solve the problem of difficult catheterization. When a catheter is to be left in place for any length of time it should be properly adjusted and fastened in such a way that its position may be readily changed if it slips out of adjustment. A sterile connection to a sterile closed receptacle will reduce ascending urinary infection to a minimum.
Siphon flows in isolated magnetic flux tubes. V - Radiative flows with variable ionization

Steady siphon flows in arched isolated magnetic flux tubes in the solar atmosphere are calculated here including radiative transfer between the flux tube and its surrounding and variable ionization of the flowing gas. It is shown that the behavior of a siphon flow is strongly determined by the degree of radiative coupling between the flux tube and its surroundings in the superadiabatic layer just below the solar surface. Critical siphon flows with adiabatic tube shocks in the downstream leg are calculated, illustrating the radiative relaxation of the temperature jump downstream of the shock. For flows in arched flux tubes reaching up to the temperature minimum, where the opacity is low, the gas inside the flux tube is much cooler than the surrounding atmosphere at the top of the arch. It is suggested that gas cooled by siphon flows contribute to the cool component of the solar atmosphere at the height of the temperature minimum implied by observations of the infrared CO bands at 4.6 and 2.3 microns.
Allorecognition in a basal chordate consists of independent activating and inhibitory pathways.

Summary Histocompatibility in the basal chordate Botryllus schlosseri is controlled by the polymorphisms of a single gene: the fuhc . A polymorphic candidate receptor ( fester ) appeared to play roles in both initiating the reaction and discriminating between fuhc alleles. Here we report the characterization of a related protein, uncle fester . uncle fester is not polymorphic, and although coexpressed with fester , has different functional properties. Loss-of-function studies demonstrate that uncle fester was required for incompatible reactions but has no role in interactions between compatible individuals. Furthermore, stimulation with monoclonal antibodies could initiate a rejection phenotype on a single colony, and in both assays the severity of the rejection could be manipulated. These findings suggest that allorecognition in Botryllus consists of independent pathways that control compatible and incompatible outcomes that are integrated within the interacting cells, and may provide insight into basal processes conserved in allorecognition responses throughout the metazoa.
Impacts of fuel shortages on R & D in the automotive industries

Abstract Historically, R & D efforts in the oligopolistic automotive industry have dealt mainly with seeking the changes in styling and other visible characteristics of automobiles which would appeal to the status-conscious American public. Recent fuel shortages coupled with the national desire to achieve certain environmental goals promise to change the character of automotive R & D, at least in the short term. The conclusions of this paper are that major emphasis will now be placed on (a) the development of improved lightweight vehicles and (b) the development of new propulsion technologies having desirable fuel consumption as well as pollutant emission characteristics.
Low-Wage Single-Mother Families in This Jobless Recovery: Can Improved Social Policies Help?

Low-wage single-mother families face greater relative disadvantage in this jobless recovery than do other earning and marital groups. Stressful uncertainties are intensified for them not only by a lack of financial reserves related to low pay and having only one family earner but by the characteristics of their labor market, a growing disparity in income distribution nationally that increases their relative disadvantage, intensified job competition from more skilled unemployed workers. Incomplete education and fewer and less adequate training programs than are available for more educated workers make it more difficult to improve or diversify skills. Given the limitations of wage-related social policies, there is a need for expanded education and training programs to increase skills and raise the earnings potential to a more family-sustaining level.
Experimental study on the effect between commercial space solar cells and the antennas integrated on their cover glass

As Cube Satellites have become a very important low cost tool for space explorations, integrating antennas with their solar panels is gaining increased importance. Such integration resolves two main issues for a Cube Satellite (CubeSat): (1) saving surface real estate, and (2) reduce the deployment that is needed for the traditional wire antennas. By examining the solar panel assembly, it is straightforward to see that there are mainly two possible methods for antenna integration: (1) antenna under the solar cells, (2) around solar cells, and (3) on top of solar cells. For the first two types of integration, where the antenna geometry can be either slot type or microstrip patch, there have been studies performed to assess the relation between the antennas and solar cells. For the antennas on top of solar cells, although such a design can be very versatile when the antenna is designed transparent to light, there has not yet accurate assessment on the relation of the two devices. This paper is aimed to provide such an assessment using experimental methods. The data collected from this experimental study can then be used to provide better model for future simulative studies in antenna-solar cell integration.
Analysis of transcription factor interactions in osteoblasts using competitive chromatin immunoprecipitation

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a widely used technique for quantifying protein–DNA interactions in living cells. This method commonly uses fixed (crosslinked) chromatin that is fragmented by sonication (X-ChIP). We developed a simple new ChIP procedure for the immunoprecipitation of sonicated chromatin isolated from osteoblasts in the absence of crosslinking (N-ChIP). The use of noncrosslinked chromatin allowed development of a new modification of the ChIP assay: the combination of N-ChIP and competition with double-stranded oligonucleotides containing specific binding sites for individual transcription factors (Competitive N-ChIP). Using this approach, we were able to discriminate between individual binding sites for the Runx2 transcription factor in the osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein genes that cannot be resolved by traditional X-ChIP. N-ChIP assays were also able to detect several other types of chromatin interactions including those with Dlx homeodomain factors and nuclear proteins such as Sin3a that lack an intrinsic DNA-binding motif and, therefore, bind to chromatin via interactions with other proteins.
A general starting solution for melting and solidifying slabs

Abstract General starting and short-time solutions for melting or solidifying slabs are developed. The following effects are included: arbitrary heating conditions, arbitrary rates of liquid removal (including the limiting cases of stationary and instantaneously removed liquid), temperature-dependent properties, and finite slab thickness. The solution is obtained by means of the ‘embedding technique’, in which a body with time-dependent boundaries is considered mathematically as part of an embedding body of fixed geometry.
Zelizer's Theory of Money and the Case of Local Currencies:

In this paper I consider Zelizer's theory of money in a market setting. Do people create and use market money to express social values? Local currencies, which circulate in competition with national currencies in local economies around the world, provide the case studies. I survey the research literature on local currencies and find important limits on Zelizer's theory for market money. While people create and use local currencies for both economic and noneconomic reasons, most people stop using them when economic benefits are not realized. Sustained use of local currencies is uncommon. The few successes are limited in scope, and such successes cannot simply be credited to commitment based on social values. I briefly discuss policy implications of this finding for community currency as a development alternative.
Optimal denominations for coins and currency

Abstract Let all denominations have the same cost. Let transactions be any amount between 1 and (3 k+1 − 1) 2 . Since one can make change, the least expensive set of weights requires denominations that are powers of 3 from 1 to k.
Adapting shuffle-exchange like parallel processing organizations to work as systolic arrays

Abstract In this paper, parallel algorithms for tree computations and linear recurrence systems of the form y i = a i y i −1 + b i are presented. The algorithms are designed to be executed on a network of parallel processors connected using the shuffle-exchange or cube-connected cycles patterns, where the number of processors is possibly much smaller than the size of the problem being solved. They are the result of illustrating that a graph representing the computation being performed can be restructured to match the given number of processors being employed and the pattern by which the processors are connected. By accepting inputs in a systolic fashion, the algorithms make efficient use of the resources of parallel time and number of processors. Their time performance is T = O( n / P + log P ) when P processors connected by the above mentioned networks are employed, which is the maximum possible speedup for P = O( n /log n ). Thus, the shuffle-exchange and the cube-connected cycles parallel processing organizations can be adapted to work as general systolic systems for the solution of an important class of computational problems.
Synthesis of potential antimalarials

A series of quinoline derivatives containing a 2-thienyl ring in the 2-position and CO2H, CH2OH, CHO, CH(OH)CN, CH(OH)CO2H, CO2C2H5, COCH[N(C2H5)2]CO2C2H5, COCH2N(C2H5)2, COCH3, substituents in the 4-position was synthesized. Both intermediate and target compounds were tested for antimalarial activity. A second series with a 5-bromo-2-thienyl group in the 2-position and CHOHCH2N(C2H5)2, CHOHCH2N(CH2)6, and CHOHCH2N(CH2C6H5)2 substituents in the 4-position was also prepared, it was found that, although these quinoline methanols were moderately active antimalarials, they exhibited a high degree of phototoxicity. A third series of compounds with 2-alkyl substituents (methyl, t-butyl) was also synthesized, and these were found to combine a modest degree of antimalarial activity with low phototoxicity. Several novel synthetic routes to the above compounds were developed and are detailed.
A Ras protein from a phytopathogenic fungus causes defects in hyphal growth polarity, and induces tumors in mice.

Ras is a low-molecular-weight guanine nucleotide (GDP/GTP)-binding protein that transduces signals for growth and differentiation in eukaryotes. In mammals, the importance of Ras in regulating growth is underscored by the observation that activating mutations in ras genes are found in many animal tumors. Colletotrichum trifolii is a filamentous fungal pathogen of alfalfa which causes anthracnose disease. To investigate signaling pathways that regulate growth and development in this fungus, a gene encoding a Ras homolog (CT-Ras) was cloned from C. trifolii. CT-Ras exhibited extensive amino acid similarity to Ras proteins from higher and lower eukaryotes. A single amino acid change resulting in mutationally activated CT-Ras induced cellular transformation of mouse (NIH 3T3) fibroblasts and tumor formation in nu/nu mice. In Colletotrichum, mutationally activated CT-Ras induced abnormal hyphal proliferation and defects in polarized growth, and significantly reduced differentiation in a nutrient-dependent manner. These results show that C. trifolii Ras is a functional growth regulator in both mammals and fungi, and demonstrate that proper regulation of Ras is required for normal fungal growth and development.
Atomistic simulation of nanocrystalline materials

Atomistic simulations show that high-energy grain boundaries in nanocrystalline copper and nanocrystalline silicon are highly disordered. In the case of silicon the structures of the grain boundaries are essentially indistinguishable from that of bulk amorphous silicon. Based on a free-energy argument, we suggest that below a critical grain size nanocrystalline materials should be unstable with respect to the amorphous phase.
Discrete optical solitons in waveguide arrays and photonic lattices

The paper describes optical discrete solitons, which are in general, self-trapped entities of finite extent that exist in coupled periodic nonlinear lattices. These are self-localized wavepackets whose energy resides primarily in distinct waveguide array and exist through a balance of discrete diffraction/coupling effects and material nonlinearity. Arrays made from materials having intensity-dependent Kerr, quadratic and photorefractive nonlinearities have been shown to support such discrete localized states. These can possibly exist in coupled-resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) where waveguiding is accomplished via light hopping among successive high-Q microcavities that effectively act like defects when embedded in a photonic crystal
Comparisons of three practical field devices used to measure personal light exposures and activity levels

This paper documents the spectral and spatial performance characteristics of two new versions of the Daysimeter, devices developed and calibrated by the Lighting Research Center to measure and record personal circadian light exposure and activity levels, and compares them to those of the Actiwatch Spectrum (Philips Healthcare). Photometric errors from the Daysimeters and the Actiwatch Spectrum were also determined for various types of light sources. The Daysimeters had better photometric performance than the Actiwatch Spectrum. To assess differences associated with measuring light and activity levels at different locations on the body, older adults wore four Daysimeters and an Actiwatch Spectrum for five consecutive days. Wearing the Daysimeter or Actiwatch Spectrum on the wrist compromises accurate light measurements relative to locating a calibrated photosensor at the plane of the cornea.
Atropine in asystole: human studies

Current research supporting the use of atropine for asystole is limited. Reported in the literature are the cases of 26 patients who presented with a rhythm of asystole. Of these, only eight were clearly in refractory asystole after epinephrine and sodium bicarbonate, only seven were prehospital patients, and only two were delineated as being intubated. Despite such limited data, atropine has been advocated for asystole, and use of the drug is included in the recommendations of the American Heart Association. We undertook a retrospective review of our prehospital experience with refractory asystole for a four-year period from January 1979 to December 1982. All patients with trauma or poisoning and all pediatric arrests were excluded. All patients who received calcium chloride during resuscitation also were excluded. One hundred seventy patients presented in cardiorespiratory arrest with an initial rhythm of asystole. Of these, 84 remained in refractory asystole after receiving epinephrine and sodium bicarbonate. Forty-three patients in this group received atropine. The successful resuscitation rate in the atropine group was 14% (6/43), while in the control group it was 0% (0/41) (P
Line selected performance of a cw HF laser

A diffraction grating was used in the Littrow and off-Littrow configurations to select the lines in a cw HF stable resonator. The beam is outcoupled through a partially reflective mirror. Single line Littrow, single line off- Littrow, and off-Littrow line pair performance were measured. For the first time, as far as we know, in the operation of chemical lasers, Littrow and off-Littrow lines lased simultaneously. Two line (one Littrow line, one off-Littrow line) and three line (one Littrow line, two off-Littrow lines) Littrow/off-Littrow line combinations were demonstrated. The grating reflectivity was a strong function of the polarization of the laser beam. Data indicated that the grating generated a beam whose polarization was perpendicular to the grating grooves.
FAK Inhibition Disrupts a β5 Integrin Signaling Axis Controlling Anchorage-Independent Ovarian Carcinoma Growth

Ovarian cancer ascites fluid contains matrix proteins that can impact tumor growth via integrin receptor binding. In human ovarian tumor tissue arrays, we find that activation of the cytoplasmic focal adhesion (FAK) tyrosine kinase parallels increased tumor stage, β5 integrin, and osteopontin matrix staining. Elevated osteopontin, β5 integrin, and FAK mRNA levels are associated with decreased serous ovarian cancer patient survival. FAK remains active within ovarian cancer cells grown as spheroids, and anchorage-independent growth analyses of seven ovarian carcinoma cell lines identified sensitive (HEY, OVCAR8) and resistant (SKOV3-IP, OVCAR10) cells to 0.1 μmol/L FAK inhibitor (VS-4718, formerly PND-1186) treatment. VS-4718 promoted HEY and OVCAR8 G0-G1 cell-cycle arrest followed by cell death, whereas growth of SKOV3-IP and OVCAR10 cells was resistant to 1.0 μmol/L VS-4718. In HEY cells, genetic or pharmacological FAK inhibition prevented tumor growth in mice with corresponding reductions in β5 integrin and osteopontin expression. β5 knockdown reduced HEY cell growth in soft agar, tumor growth in mice, and both FAK Y397 phosphorylation and osteopontin expression in spheroids. FAK inhibitor-resistant (SKOV3-IP, OVCAR10) cells exhibited anchorage-independent Akt S473 phosphorylation, and expression of membrane-targeted and active Akt in sensitive cells (HEY, OVCAR8) increased growth but did not create a FAK inhibitor-resistant phenotype. These results link osteopontin, β5 integrin, and FAK in promoting ovarian tumor progression. β5 integrin expression may serve as a biomarker for serous ovarian carcinoma cells that possess active FAK signaling.
Seismic data processing via homomorphic filtering

Homomorphic deconvolution, a filtering technique, is used to analyze real seismic data. It can separate the wavelet from the impulse train which is formed by convolution. For illustration purposes, four different signals, resulting from regional event, quarry blast, local blast, and a marine explosion, respectively, are considered. The complex cepstrum is also used to detect multiple echoes in a signal. The results show the effectiveness of the method.
Unmasking Interferon Pathways in Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as lupus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, and Sjogren syndrome are a heterogeneous and highly complex group of disorders in which the immune system attacks the patient’s own tissues. Not only can these disorders wreak havoc on the human body, they can also be
Cooperative Spectrum Sharing for a Primary Network with Capacity Constraint

In this paper, we propose a cooperative framework for spectrum sharing between a secondary random ad hoc network and a primary network with capacity constraint. While the interference from secondary network must satisfy a power constraint, there is no stipulation on its higher order statistics. Considering a generalized Gaussian model for interference, we show that the capacity of a primary link can be improved by increasing the kurtosis of interference. We show that by using power control, the secondary network can increase the kurtosis of its interference and thereby can help the primary links to maintain their minimum capacity constraint. Secondary network is allowed to share the spectrum for a fraction of time proportional to the capacity gain obtained by the primary link. Simulation results show that by cooperation from the secondary network, both secondary and primary networks can achieve their goals in accessing the spectrum and satisfying the capacity constraint.
The centromere-specific histone variant Cse4p (CENP-A) is essential for functional chromatin architecture at the yeast 2-μm circle partitioning locus and promotes equal plasmid segregation

The centromere protein A homologue Cse4p is required for kinetochore assembly and faithful chromosome segregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It has been regarded as the exquisite hallmark of centromeric chromatin. We demonstrate that Cse4 resides at the partitioning locus STB of the 2-microm plasmid. Cse4p-STB association is absolutely dependent on the plasmid partitioning proteins Rep1p and Rep2p and the integrity of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore mutation ndc10-1 excludes Cse4p from centromeres without dislodging it from STB. Cse4p-STB association lasts from G1/S through late telophase during the cell cycle. The release of Cse4p from STB chromatin is likely mediated through spindle disassembly. A lack of functional Cse4p disrupts the remodeling of STB chromatin by the RSC2 complex, negates Rep2p binding and cohesin assembly at STB, and causes plasmid missegregation. Poaching of a specific histone variant by the plasmid to mark its partitioning locus with a centromere tag reveals yet another one of the molecular trickeries it performs for achieving chromosome- like fidelity in segregation.
The effect of charter schools on traditional public school students in Texas: Are children who stay behind left behind?

Abstract Texas has been an important player in the emergence of the charter school industry. We test for a competitive effect of charters by looking for changes in student achievement in traditional public schools following charter market penetration. We use an eight-year panel of data on individual student test scores for public schools students in Texas in order to evaluate the achievement impact of charter schools. We estimate a model that includes student/campus spell fixed effects to control for campus demographic and peer group characteristics, and to control directly for student and student family background characteristics. We find a positive and significant effect of charter school penetration on traditional public school student outcomes.
Prognosis of Individuals with Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background—Limited data exist on the prevalence, associations, and prognosis of individuals with asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ALVSD), especially in populations without previous clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods and Results—Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to assess the association between ALVSD, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, and adjudicated incident congestive heart failure (CHF), all-cause mortality, and CVD events. Of 5004 participants, 112 participants had CHF, 321 had a CVD event, and 278 died after 9 years of follow-up. The overall prevalence of ALVSD was 1.7%, with a higher prevalence in blacks (2.6%). ALVSD had a worse cardiovascular risk profile and was also associated with increased risk in unadjusted and adjusted models for incident CHF (HR [hazard ratio] [95% CI {confidence interval}]: 12.0 [7.04–20.3], P<0.0001 and 8.69 [4.89–15.45], P<0.001 respectively), CVD (HR [95% CI]: 3.32 [1.98–5.58], P<0.001 and 2.21 [...
Efficient microRNA capture and bar-coding via enzymatic oligonucleotide adenylation

Here we report a highly efficient and simplified strategy to preadenylate bar-coded oligonucleotides designed for microRNA (miRNA) capture and multiplex analysis. Using this approach, we enzymatically preadenylated bar-coded oligonucleotides with high efficiency when compared to the chemical method currently used by miRNA investigators. As a case study, we used these oligonucleotides in an ATP-independent ligation to miRNAs, suggesting the utility of our method in end-capture protocols and high-throughput sequencing applications.
Peroxisome Biogenesis in Root Nodules and Assimilation of Symbiotically-Reduced Nitrogen in Tropical Legumes

Tropical legumes fix nitrogen in association with Bradyrhizobium species. The symbiotically-reduced nitrogen is assimilated by the host plant using a unique pathway that ensures efficient utilization of carbon. Tropical legumes such as soybean, cowpea and bean primarily assimilate and transport fixed-nitrogen as ureides, allantoin and allantoic acid, while temperate legumes such as pea and alfalfa are amide-transporters, producing L-glutamine and L-asparagine. Ureides are produced via de novo biosynthesis and oxidation of purines. The activities of enzymes involved in de novo purine biosynthesis and catabolism vary in effective and ineffective nodules and correlate with the status of the nodules in fixing nitrogen (Atkins, 1991). The ureide-producing nodules are usually determinate in their structure but not all determinate nodules are ureide producers.
Forecasting Multiple-Period Freeway Link Travel Times Using Modular Neural Networks

With the advent of route guidance systems (RGS), the prediction of short-term link travel times has become increasingly important. For RGS to be successful, the calculated routes should be based on not only historical and real-time link travel time information but also anticipatory link travel time information. An examination is conducted on how real-time information gathered as part of intelligent transportation systems can be used to predict link travel times for one through five time periods (of 5 minutes' duration). The methodology developed consists of two steps. First, the historical link travel times are classified based on an unsupervised clustering technique. Second, an individual or modular artificial neural network (ANN) is calibrated for each class, and each modular ANN is then used to predict link travel times. Actual link travel times from Houston, Texas, collected as part of the automatic vehicle identification system of the Houston Transtar system were used as a test bed. It was found that the modular ANN outperformed a conventional singular ANN. The results of the best modular ANN were compared with existing link travel time techniques, including a Kalman filtering model, an exponential smoothing model, a historical profile, and a real-time profile, and it was found that the modular ANN gave the best overall results.
Redetermination and absolute configuration of (+)-7-epiclusianone.

The absolute configuration of 3-benzoyl-4-hy­droxy-6,6-dimethyl-1,5,7-tris­(3-methyl­but-2-en­yl)bicyclo­[3.3.1]non-3-ene-2,9-dione, C33H42O4, isolated from Hypericum hypericoides, has been determined. The previous study [Xiao et al. (2007). J. Nat. Prod. 70, 1779–1782] gave only the established relative configuration. The three stereogenic centers are now established as 1R, 5R and 7S on the basis of the refinement of the Flack absolute structure parameter against Cu Kα data and correspond to a specific rotation of [α]D20 = +66°. The enol–hy­droxy group forms an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond to close an S(6) ring.
CRYOGENIC TARGET SYSTEM FOR Z-PINCH MACHINES

Recent advances in the technology of fast pulsed electrical power and load design have led to growing interest in the use of z-pinch machines as x-ray sources for fusion applications.1 To achieve high yield, z-pinch machines require the use of cryogenic targets. These targets contain a spherical polymer capsule with a layer of solid deuterium-tritium (DT) on the inside wall. This DT layer is obtained by first permeation filling the capsule with high pressure DT gas at room temperature. The filled capsule is then cooled to approximately 19 K to solidify the DT. The uniform layer is created through a process called “beta layering,” which involves placing the capsule in a very uniform temperature environment and allowing the natural heating due to beta decay of the tritium to provide the thermal energy to redistribute the DT into a uniform layer. General Atomics has performed preconceptual design studies of a system designed to fill a target with DT, cool it down to cryogenic temperatures, and then insert it into a z-pinch chamber. The baseline system design uses a supercritical helium stream to cool the target. The helium is compressed by a room temperature compressor and cooled using both liquid nitrogen and liquid helium reservoirs. The cold supercritical helium then travels to the target through an umbilical tube several meters long. This umbilical allows the target to be at the center of the chamber while the cryogenic equipment is safely outside. This paper will describe the preconceptual design of a z-pinch cryogenic target system and present the supporting thermal analysis.
Scalable and Load-Balanced Data Center Multicast

Data center applications use multicast as an effective method to reduce bandwidth cost. However, traditional multicast protocols designed for IP networks are usually bottlenecked by the limited state capacity on switches. In this paper, we propose a scalable multicast solution on fat tree networks based on the observation that data center multicast traffic has strong heterogeneity. We propose to remove the multicast management logic from switches and use the SDN controller to manage multicast groups. The proposed Dual-structure Multicast (DuSM) determines elephant and mice groups according to their traffic amounts and treats them separately. For each elephant group, the controller installs multicast state to maintain multiple shared trees and the group traffic will be balanced evenly among the trees to avoid congestion. For mice groups, the controller applies state-free multicast that trades bandwidth capacity for state capacity, such as multicast-to-unicast translation. Our experiments using real multicast traffic data show that, DuSM can increase the multicast state capacity to support more number of groups by >200% compared to IP multicast. DuSM also achieves better traffic balance among links than IP multicast.
A Note upon the Micro-Determination of Ammonia.

Several excellent procedures are available for the micro-estimation of ammonia of which the methods of Conway and Byrne1 and Gibbs and Kirk2 are notable examples. In connection with studies of tissue respiration it became desirable to determine quantities of ammonia of the order of 5 γ to 50 γ present in the Ringer fluid in which various tissues were suspended. Attempts were made to Nesslerize the de-proteinized fluid with measurement of the resulting light transmission with the Evelyn photoelectric colorimeter (Filter 440) as in the micro-non-protein nitrogen determination adapted for this instrument.3 These were frustrated by immediate clouding of the Nessler-ized solutions as a result of the small amount of magnesium ion present in the Ringer fluid4 employed. Inhibition of the precipitation was not obtained by addition of various stabilizers, e. g., gum ghatti, gum acacia, etc., although the onset and rate of clouding was slightly delayed by adding a small amount of 50% Rochelle salt solution prior to ...
The Genus Diacheopsis

The genus Diacheopsis is characterized by noncolumellate, sessile fructifications which lack lime and contain brown spores. The four existing species are regarded as valid, and two new species, D. effusa and D. serpula, are described. Three of the species, D. effusa, D. metallica and D. serpula, are snowline myxomycetes, and three, D. depressa, D. insessa and D. pieninica, are basically lowland in distribution. A key to the species and detailed descriptions are included.
D-test for Detection of Inducible Resistance to Clindamycin in Staphylococci

OBJECTIVE To apply D-test for detection of inducible resistance of erythromycin to clindamycin in staphylococci and investigate their resistant rate to erythromycin and clindamycin. METHODS According to the standards of NCCLS to detect inducible resistance of erythromycin to clindamycin in staphylococci . RESULTS Co-resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin accounted for 50% and 22.8% in 77 strains of staphylococci (20 of S.aureus and 57 of coagulase-negative staphylococci). The rate of erythromycin resistance and clindamycin sensitivity accounted for 20% and 59.6%. D-test positive rate was 50% and 61.8% of which were erythromycin resistant and clindamycin sensitive respectively. CONCLUSIONS D-test for detection of inducible resistance of erythromycin to clindamycin in staphylococci should be checked in clinical microbiology laboratory in order to help physicians to select MLSb antimicrobial agents correctly.
Interrelation between the effects of ethanol and thyroid hormones on gluconeogenesis from alanine in perfused rat liver.

Abstract Ethanol and thyroid hormones are among various factors that can alter hepatic gluconeogenesis, and the present study was done to determine the interrelation between the influence of ethanol and of T 4 on glucose synthesis from alanine in isolated rat liver. With a sufficient supply of alanine, 20 mM ethanol enhanced gluconeogenesis nearly 60% in normal rat liver; higher ethanol concentrations, i.e., 40 or 80 mM, produced no further change in glucose synthesis. In contrast, 20, 40, or 80 mM ethanol had no effect on an already accelerated rate of gluconeogenesis in T 4 -treated rat liver. The redox state of the liver cytosol, as indicated by the LP ratio and the α-GPDHAP ratio, was markedly increased by ethanol in normal rat liver and, to a lesser extent, in thyrotoxic rat liver. Ethanol decreased pyruvate, PEP, and 3PGA but increased DHAP, F6P, and G6P concentrations in normal rat liver. In thyrotoxic rat liver per se, the pyruvate level was decreased whereas the levels of intermediates in the gluconeogenic sequence from OAA to 3PGA, and of alanine, were increased as compared to normal rat liver. Ethanol attenuated T 4 , effects on alanine uptake and on pyruvate conversion to PEP. NADH produced by ethanol oxidation enhanced 3PGA conversion to DHAP in T 4 -treated as well as in normal rat liver. Despite these effects of ethanol on the gluconeogenic pathway, T 4 stimulation of the rate of gluconeogenesis was not affected by ethanol. The results suggest that with an adequate supply of alanine as substrate, ethanol stimulates gluconeogenesis in normal rat liver but has no affect on an already enhanced gluconeogenesis in thyrotoxic rat liver.
Campus Responses to Dating Violence and Sexual Assault: Information from University Representatives

ABSTRACTUniversities have an obligation to provide student victims with services that are easily accessible. This study focused on the provision of sexual assault and dating violence services of large, public 4-year institutions, as reported by university representatives. The sample included security officers from 45 universities who completed phone interviews between February and May 2013. Phone interviews consisted of 15 open-ended questions. The findings point to highly variable practices and services offered across campuses. The services most frequently reported by university representatives include counseling and police services. The findings also suggest that public 4-year institutions not only offer varied levels of services, but such services might not be readily available to student victims. Although many representatives identified underserved groups and suggestions for improvement, a sizable portion did not acknowledge any. Further, university representatives did not distinguish between services...
Chordae Tendineae Rupture in the United States: Trends of Outcomes, Costs and Surgical Interventions

Objectives: To describe national trends in the incidence and outcomes of patients with chordae tendineae rupture (CTR). Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with CTR between 2000 and 2012 were identified in National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) registry. CTR was defined using validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification diagnosis (ICD9-CM) codes. Results: A total of 37,287 (14,833 mitral valve repair, 7780 mitral valve replacement) CTR cases were identified. Overall, in-hospital mortality in CTR decreased by 3% from 2000 to 2012 ( P < 0.001). From 2000 to 2012, the rate of mitral valve repair increased from 27.2% to 46.4%, ( P < 0.001) with a concurrent decrease in the rate of mitral valve replacement (from 27.8 to 17.7%, P < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, patient age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.03-1.06, P < 0.001), congestive heart failure (CHF) (OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.19-3.64, P = 0.01), myocardial infarction (MI) (OR = 3.58, 95% CI 2.10-6.11, P < 0.001), Deyo/Charlson comorbidity index (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.07-1.41, P < 0.003) and use of the intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) (OR = 4.81 95% CI 2.71-8.55, P < 0.001) were found to be independently associated with greater odds of mortality in these patients. Additionally, mitral valve replacement was significantly associated with higher costs of hospitalization (coefficient 15693, 95% CI 12638-18749, P < 0.001) Conclusion: Mitral valve repair is associated with reduced inpatient mortality and costs compared with mitral valve replacement. A substantial increase in the percentage of cases undergoing mitral valve repair with a concurrent decrease in cases undergoing mitral valve replacement were observed. Increasing age and comorbidity index, history of CHF and MI, and use of IABP were identified as factors that could increase the risk of mortality in patients with CTR.
“It Did Not Affect Me”: The (IR)Relevance of the German Reunification in Autobiographical Narratives of East Germans

How do individuals make sense of events that are associated with major social-systemic changes? The paper explores the relationship between “German reunification” and processes of meaning making and identity formation by former citizens of the German Democratic Republic. Analyzing twenty-six in-depth, life-history interviews of East Germans born in two different generational cohorts, I examine the various narrative strategies employed that allow these East Germans to embed the experience of the German reunification through means of narrative emplotment. Diverting from a notion that it is historical events that shape our autobiographical memories, I argue that historical events are selected from a historical tool kit which provides individuals with narrative resources from which narrative identity can be formulated. A video abstract is available at https://youtu.be/d69JXE0Ryqw.